People in the Houston area have been warned about an online drugs scam in which callers demand payment of fines over Internet purchases.
Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson on Monday announced the scheme involving people falsely claiming to be Drug Enforcement Administration agents.
Federal law bars the purchase of controlled substances without a valid prescription from a doctor.
Anderson says operators of some online pharmacies sell customer names and phone numbers. Crooks who secure the information then call people who bought prescription drugs or herbal supplements over the Internet and demand payment of administrative penalties -- saying purchasing such items online is illegal.
Anderson says federal agents do not call people demanding payment of fines and anyone reached in such a manner should contact the DEA.
