# Which law enforcement agency handles web scams? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 9, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-law-enforcement-agency-handles-web-scams/524314 "2010-01-09T19:59:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-law-enforcement-agency-handles-web-scams/524314/1 "2010-01-09T19:59:04Z")
I think I’ve stumbled on to a scam involving selling a car. If I’m right, who would I report it to? ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2010, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-law-enforcement-agency-handles-web-scams/524314/2 "2010-01-09T20:11:18Z")
The FTC, your state’s Attorney General (as well as the Attorney General of the scammer’s state, if different), and the State’s Attorney/District Attorney (_i.e._, the local prosecutor) of the scammer’s county would all be interested in this information. If it is local, the LAPD probably has a consumer fraud/web scams investigation unit as well. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-law-enforcement-agency-handles-web-scams/524314/3 "2010-01-10T04:59:19Z")
The Secret Service also handles such cases. From here: [http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2910/is-the-secret-service-responsible-for-keeping-the-president-from-getting-drunk:](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2910/is-the-secret-service-responsible-for-keeping-the-president-from-getting-drunk:) _In 1984 the Secret Service’s responsibilities were expanded to include the investigation of crimes involving banking, computer, and telecommunications fraud._ See also: [Front page | U.S. Department of the Treasury](http://www.ustreas.gov/usss/financial_crimes.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![Thalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f475e1/32.png) [@Thalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thalion)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-law-enforcement-agency-handles-web-scams/524314/4 "2010-01-12T09:29:14Z")
[The Internet Crime Complaint Center](http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx) is a great place to start. This is a federal program, but they will work with local law enforcement (usually where the suspect is operating) to investigate. When I worked investigations, I had several scams referred to me by IC3. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-law-enforcement-agency-handles-web-scams/524314/5 "2010-01-13T14:05:01Z")
It kinda depends on the scam. If it crosses state lines, the feds might get involved. If it’s something local, you might be lucky to get a city detective to take a look at it. It would probably also depend on the severity of the crime. Some local radio station having a glitch in their half-price gift certificate promotion would probably merit a warning. That same radio station selling your credit card information to some low-life in another state would probably merit a federal investigation.