FBI DISPATCHING SUPPORT TEAM TO SAN DIEGO FOR FRAUD READINESS

SAC James Bernazzani announced today a team is being sent to San Diego to share lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina. The team, comprised of FBI Agents and Federal Prosecutors from the Eastern and Western Districts of Louisiana, is being dispatched in anticipation of disaster related fraud schemes in connection with the recent wildfires in Southern California. Complaint calls regarding fraud will be routed to the Katrina Fraud Command Center at LSU's campus in Baton Rouge for intake and management of FEMA, Charity, Red Cross and other fraud.

SAC Bernazzani stated, "The FBI is firmly committed to ensure that victims of natural disasters will not become victims of criminal elements, to include those involved in fraudulent activities which steal from those in need".

The hotline to report a complaint is (800) CALL FBI (225-5324).

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