Latest news with #PostalInspectionService
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
Canadian accused of mail fraud extradited to United States
The U.S. Department of Justice logo is seen on a podium before a press conference, May 6, 2025, at the Justice Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File) A Canadian man has been extradited to the United States over alleged schemes involving what U.S. officials call fake prize notices and victims described as 'elderly and vulnerable.' In a notice published Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice and Postal Inspection Service announced that Albertan Patrick Fraser, 44, was transferred to American law enforcement earlier this month, following his arrest roughly two years earlier by Canadian officials. Fraser is accused of having 'conspired with others to operate fraud schemes through which he mailed fraudulent prize notifications to individuals in the United States and in other countries.' The letters, the release says, told recipients they were entitled to a large cash prize, sometimes of more than US$1 million, which they could receive if they first paid a small fee. 'The (U.S.) Justice Department is committed to prosecuting and pursuing those who perpetrate fraud schemes targeting America's seniors,' said U.S. Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate in the release. 'I thank Canada for assisting in extraditing this individual to face charges here in the United States.' The U.S. release identifies Canada's Department of Justice and the Vancouver Police Department as contributing to the investigation. Fraser faces charges of conspiracy and mail fraud and a nine-count indictment, with each count carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, upon conviction. None of the charges have been tested in court, and the release acknowledges that 'all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.' Fraser is now in U.S. detention, awaiting trial in an American federal court in Las Vegas.
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
Canadian extradited to Las Vegas over alleged mail fraud scheme
The U.S. Department of Justice logo is seen on a podium before a press conference, May 6, 2025, at the Justice Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File) A Canadian man has been extradited to the United States over alleged schemes involving what U.S. officials call fake prize notices and victims described as 'elderly and vulnerable.' In a notice published Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice and Postal Inspection Service announced that Albertan Patrick Fraser, 44, was transferred to American law enforcement earlier this month, following his arrest roughly two years earlier by Canadian officials. Fraser is accused of having 'conspired with others to operate fraud schemes through which he mailed fraudulent prize notifications to individuals in the United States and in other countries.' The letters, the release says, told recipients they were entitled to a large cash prize, sometimes of more than US$1 million, which they could receive if they first paid a small fee. 'The (U.S.) Justice Department is committed to prosecuting and pursuing those who perpetrate fraud schemes targeting America's seniors,' said U.S. Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate in the release. 'I thank Canada for assisting in extraditing this individual to face charges here in the United States.' The U.S. release identifies Canada's Department of Justice and the Vancouver Police Department as contributing to the investigation. Fraser faces charges of conspiracy and mail fraud and a nine-count indictment, with each count carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, upon conviction. None of the charges have been tested in court, and the release acknowledges that 'all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.' Fraser is now in U.S. detention, awaiting trial in an American federal court in Las Vegas.
CBS News
16-06-2025
- CBS News
Police search for suspect after U.S. Postal Service carrier shot in South LA
A U.S. Postal Service carrier was shot in the arm Monday in South Los Angeles, and police are searching for a suspect. Around 11:40 a.m., the carrier was allegedly shot in the area of Century Boulevard and Central Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The victim was conscious and breathing when taken to a hospital, an LAPD representative said. "The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Los Angeles Police Department responded after receiving reports of a letter carrier who was shot in the South Los Angeles area," Postal Inspector Patricia Mendoza said in a statement. "The Postal Inspection Service can confirm the postal employee was shot. This is an active investigation, and no additional information can be provided at this time."
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dems question Trump's use of Postal Service inspectors
House Democrats are seeking more information and a face-to-face briefing from the U.S. Postal Service about the Trump administration's use of Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) officers to aid the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with President Trump's immigration crackdown. 'The investigative activities of USPIS are crucial in taking down criminal networks, drug traffickers and other dangerous actors who use or abuse the mail system to carry out illicit activities,' Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee wrote in a letter to Postal Service leaders obtained by The Hill on Wednesday. 'We are deeply concerned that the partnership between USPIS and DHS is not only an improper use of USPIS personnel but will also significantly detract from USPIS's critical mission of addressing the present and increasing threats of mail theft and fraud, and attacks against our Postal workforce,' the letter continued. Trump issued an executive order Jan. 20 shortly after he was sworn back into office that created a system of task forces under DHS and the Attorney General with 'representation from any other Federal agencies with law enforcement officers.' The Postal Inspection Service, one of the country's oldest law enforcement agencies, has nearly 1,300 postal inspectors and 500 uniformed postal police officers, according to the latest Postal Service figures. The House Oversight Democrats wrote in their letter that they want to know more about how postal workers are aiding with immigration efforts after a Postal Inspection Service officer was spotted at a recent immigration raid of a Colorado nightclub where more than 100 migrants were detained. 'To reach every address in the United States, the Postal Service maintains a wide swath ofpersonal information on individuals present in the United States,' they wrote. 'This data is highly restricted, may only be shared in very limited situations, and is largely protected by the Privacy Act, which requires the Postal Service to implement comprehensive protections of personal information.' The Postal Service didn't immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment. The Washington Post reported in April that the Trump administration was using the Postal Service's law enforcement arm to obtain photographs of envelopes and packages through its long-existing mail surveillance program, as well as 'package- and mail-tracking information, credit card data and financial material and IP addresses' to track down people who are in the country illegally. U.S. postal inspectors have similarly collaborated with law enforcement agencies in the past to locate fugitives, drug traffickers and other alleged criminals. According to The Washington Post report, Postal Service officials agreed to aid the federal immigration enforcement efforts because leaders fear a larger threat to the Postal Service from Trump, but one source told the outlet that 'Inspection Service is very, very nervous about this.' 'It is clear that DHS intends to use the highly sensitive information maintained by thePostal Service as part of its broader weaponization of personal information to carry out its mass deportation agenda,' House Democrats wrote in their letter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
11-06-2025
- CBS News
4 arrested in connection with mail theft investigation
Four men have been arrested in connection with a mail theft investigation in the Pittsburgh area. On June 4, a man tried to rob a mail carrier with the United States Postal Service at gunpoint in Bridgeville. Two days later, another worker was robbed at gunpoint at the Upper St. Clair Post Office. Now, four young men have been taken into custody. Stolen Father's Day card leads to 4 arrests Marcella Swigart said she was scared and nervous when she learned a Father's Day card she mailed to her dad was found inside a car pulled over by Mt. Lebanon police officers on Tuesday morning. The card, which had a $40 check inside, was mailed from her local post office. "My mail was found in a car, and they were trying to link robberies or something like that," Swigart said. Police arrested four men, and the United States Postal Inspection Service said at least one of the men is connected to the armed robbery at the post office in Upper St. Clair and the attempted armed robbery of a mail carrier in Bridgeville. "Disbelief," Swigart said. "It felt unreal. I don't really know how to describe it." According to the criminal complaint, a Mt. Lebanon woman who lives near the Cedarhurst Post Office called 911 to report a suspicious vehicle parked on the road. She told police she saw two men dressed in black running back and forth from the car to the post office. Law enforcement pulled the car over a little later and found Swigart's empty envelope inside. "Why would people do this," Swigart said. "Just go to work. Be a normal person, be a good member of society. " During the robbery in Upper St. Clair, police said the suspects got away with post office skeleton keys, which are designed to fit many different locks. The criminal complaint said skeleton keys have been used at least three times in the last month to steal from mailboxes on Bower Hill Road and Castle Shannon Boulevard. "The police officers told me they said don't mail anything other than a card. Don't send any money. Don't send any checks, use Venmo or Zelle," Swigart said. Although the U.S. postal inspectors said one of the men arrested is involved in the robbery and attempted robbery last week, none of them face charges for those crimes at this time.
