News 4 Investigates!
ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) - News 4 Investigative Reporter Chris Nagus is looking into how scammers get personal information and the federal battle to defeat it.
One of the most common complaints from viewers to the News 4 newsroom involve scam phone calls from people claiming to be with the IRS or another government agency, threatening arrest unless some past fine or fee isn't paid immediately. Some scammers promise free money through government grants, surprise lottery or sweepstakes winnings.
In every case, the scammers want immediate payment through prepaid money cards. In many cases, the scammers have the names and phone numbers of the people they are calling, and maybe more.
In a recent visit to IRS offices in Washington, D.C., investigative reporter Chris Nagus got a big part of the answer to the question of where the scammers are getting their information. The IRS criminal investigators say scammers get information from a part of the Internet known as the "Dark Net," a segment of the Internet that requires specific software and knowledge to access. A user cannot just go through a search engine, like Google, to access it.
While in Washington D.C., Nagus was given access to a special IRS cyber investigative unit, where he watched as specially trained agents navigated the "Dark Net," searching for clues that might lead them to the criminals behind the data.
Within moments he saw personal information appear on the screen from residents in Collinsville, Illinois and Columbia, Missouri. The data included Social Security numbers and dates of birth, the kind of data that could be used in identity theft. Agents told Nagus the information can be purchased for as little as $1. They also said it can be all but impossible to track the criminals because the web addresses are disguised and often routed through foreign countries.
Wtf! I wish I could buy fullz for $1... These 17 bucks a pop are a ripoff!