People throughout the country are receiving threatening phone calls from international extortionists impersonating Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other law enforcement personnel. According to a warning posted on the DEA Web site, most of the victims purchased drugs over the Internet, or by telephone. The criminals tell their victims that buying drugs online or by phone is illegal, and then threaten to take action against the victim unless he or she pays a fine. In an NBC Chicago report, one victim recalls how these extortionists called her twice, first with a threat, and a second time to tell her federal agents were on their way to her home to arrest her. Representatives from DEA emphasize that no federal agent will ever ask for money or any other form of payment over the phone. Anyone who receives suspicious calls of this nature should refuse any demand for money and report the threat using DEA’s Extortion Scam Online Reporting form, or by calling DEA’s hotline at 877/792-2873.