The U. S. Food and Drug Administration have warned people about con artists extracting money by calling themselves as federal agents. They charge money as fines that are bogus.

There are reports that people have ended up paying $31,000 to those posing as federal agents.

Those targeted by these so called agents are people who have purchased prescribed medicines from internet sites run by the gangs and telepharmacies.

FDA spokesman Tom Gasparoli said, “The crooks, posing as federal agents, call up customers, accuse them of illegally purchasing medications and threaten them with arrest and jail if they don't pay fines.”

Apart from pretending as prosecutors and judges in the Dominican Republic these artists pose as agents from the FDA, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, U. S. Secret Service and U. S. Customs Service.

About 100 such cases are being investigated.

Gasparoli said that FDA special agents and other law enforcement officials can not collect criminal fines.

FDA officials have asked people to report such cases immediately by calling (800) 521-5783.