March 2024
Agents and analysts from Atlanta and Boston worked with Malta’s Police Force and Office of the Attorney General in conducting a complex international cyber operation. Learn more
Message from the Assistant Director, Office of Public Affairs
Hello FBI Family,
As election season gets underway, there’s no better time to talk about what the Bureau is doing to safeguard our elections.
The threats come in many forms and with our multipronged strategy and vast experience, the FBI is dedicated to keeping our elections secure..
Here at the Office of Public Affairs, we’ve been doing our part to get the word out. We recently refreshed Protected Voices – a campaign that arms the public with information about malign foreign influence operations, cybersecurity threats, and federal election crimes. This centralized outreach initiative reinforces and complements the operational work the Bureau carries out through the Foreign Influence Task Force, the Election Crimes Task Force, our election crimes coordinators in every field office, and other important elements.
At the same time, the National Press Office is engaging with the media and coordinating with our partners, including the Department of Justice, to promote understanding and awareness of the FBI’s role in election security.
Our goal is to make sure everyone—from election officials and private companies to our state and local law enforcement partners—is empowered to identify threats, understand their impact, and report them to the FBI.
We’re depending on you to help get the message out. Amid all the excitement surrounding our elections, I hope you’ll agree it’s worth letting people know about the FBI’s efforts to safeguard our democratic process. Thank you for all you do for the Bureau.
Cathy Milhoan
Message from the Assistant Director, Counterintelligence Division
As I am writing this to you today, I will soon be joining you as an FBI Alumni and wanted to take a minute to let you know in my role
as the AD of the Counterintelligence Division over the last year, we have seen an increase in unsolicited contacts to formers and cleared industry employees. Whether you worked national security matters or not, you may still be the target of Foreign Intelligence activity anytime and anywhere. This may be based on access you currently have or information you had access to in the past. Your family, friends, and co-workers may also be viewed as a means to gain information about you.
Our foreign adversaries are good at social engineering and eliciting information, but common sense and basic CI awareness can protect you against foreign intelligence attempts to collect classified, unclassified, or other sensitive/proprietary information. I challenge you to be wary of profiles offering you potential job opportunities which might sound too good to be true and to review your account settings on your various profiles to be vigilant and smart about who you are trusting to be in your network. If you do feel like you’ve had a suspicious contact, I urge you to report it to the FBI as you may not be the only one who has been solicited by that profile.
Suzanne Turner
News
LockBit Ransomware
The Department of Justice joined the United Kingdom and international law enforcement partners in London to announce the disruption of the LockBit ransomware group, one of the most active ransomware groups in the world that has targeted over 2,000 victims, received more than $120 million in ransom payments, and made ransom demands totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. Details
Remarks: Cyber Deputy AD Leatherman
Wanted By the FBI: Mikhail Matveev
IC3: How to Report if You Are a Victim
The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) last year received a record number of complaints from the American public: 880,418 complaints were registered, with potential losses exceeding $12.5 billion.
This is a nearly 10% increase in complaints received, and it represents a 22% increase in losses suffered, compared to 2022. As significant as these figures appear, we know they are conservative regarding cybercrime in 2023.
Read the Full Report (PDF)
Top 10 News Headlines
- Air National Guardsman Agrees to Plead Guilty to Unlawfully Disclosing Classified National Defense Information
- Two Charged in Illicit Technology Transfer Schemes to Benefit China and Iran
- Task Force KleptoCapture Updates Mark Second Anniversary of Illegal Invasion of Ukraine
- Justice Department Conducts Disruption of Botnet Controlled by Russian Federation
- Pennsylvania Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Steal Major Artworks, Sports Memorabilia
- Man Arrested for Making Threat to Arizona Election Official
- San Antonio Man Sentenced to Over 13 Years in Prison for Supporting Terrorists
- U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst Arrested and Charged with Conspiracy to Obtain and Disclose National Defense Information, Export Control Violations and Bribery
- Colombian National Extradited from Colombia to the United States to Face Charges of Murder Conspiracy and Attempted Murder of U.S. Army Soldiers
- California Woman Pleads Guilty to Leaving Threatening Anti-Semitic Message
FBI Hockey Team Battles Secret Service in Triple-Overtime Thriller
In an electrifying and hard-fought game, the FBI lost 3-2 in triple overtime to its longtime hockey rivals the U.S. Secret Service on March 2. The sold-out charity game raised about $35,000 to benefit the families of law enforcement officers and first responders killed in the line of duty. Read the story
Four Mariners from Arabian Sea Vessel Charged With Transporting Suspected Iranian-Made Weapons
A criminal complaint was unsealed last month charging four foreign nationals after U.S. naval forces interdicted a vessel in the Arabian Sea that was transporting suspected Iranian-made advanced conventional weaponry. Two Navy SEALs lost their lives during the interdiction.
According to court records, preliminary analysis of the advanced conventional weaponry indicates that it includes critical components for medium range ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles, to include a warhead and propulsion and guidance components. The type of weaponry found aboard the dhow is allegedly consistent with the weaponry used by the Houthi rebel forces in recent attacks on merchant ships and U.S. military ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The FBI Washington Field Office and Naval Criminal Investigative Service are investigating the case, along with other federal and military partners.
“The FBI will aggressively investigate and disrupt the Iranian Government’s attempts to provide Houthi rebels with missile components that are intended for use against U.S. military ships, merchant vessels, and Israel,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The defendants in this case allegedly transported suspected Iranian-made missile components for the type of weaponry used by the Houthi rebels in recent attacks. The FBI is committed to using its global partnerships to stop the illegal flow of weaponry that endangers U.S. national security."
U.S. Central Command seized Iranian advanced conventional weapons. (CENTCOM photo)
“The FBI is committed to using its global partnerships to stop the illegal flow of weaponry that endangers U.S. national security.”
Director Christopher Wray
Behind the Mic
FBI-Military Collaboration at West Point
"The FBI’s special agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff are motivated by the same sense of patriotism and duty as the Corps and soldiers around the world," Wray said in his March 4 address at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
The Director spoke about the Bureau’s legacy of collaboration with the Defense Department and the persistence of great-power competition, threats posed by generative artificial intelligence, and counterterrorism.
"Like you, everything we do is driven by our mission—protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution. We’ll always have a bond with those in careers of service protecting Americans, and with anyone committed to the values of duty, honor, country."
FBI Director Christopher Wray (center) poses for a photo with cadets from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point during a visit to the school on March 4, 2024. U.S. Army photo by Christopher Hennen/USMA Public Affairs Office.
Phantom Hacker Scam
On this episode of Inside the FBI, learn about the Phantom Hacker scam—a type of tech support scam that's growing in popularity—and how to avoid becoming its next victim. Details
In Case You Missed It
You may have seen the action on the field during the recent Super Bowl in Las Vegas, but there was a lot going on behind the scenes. For the FBI Las Vegas Field Office, the key to achieving a safe event lies at what is known as the Las Vegas Fusion Center. Read the story
This series features stories, images, and videos produced by the team that manages fbi.gov.
Features
InfraGard Welcomes New Applicants
Special Agent Sean Ryan addressing members at an InfraGard meeting last year in Jacksonville.
The FBI is pleased to announce that InfraGard, after a 14-month hiatus, is now accepting applications for new members. Eligible applicants who have an interest in protecting critical infrastructure, contributing industry-specific insight, and advancing national security are welcome to apply.
InfraGard is an FBI program that began in 1996 in the Cleveland field office as an effort to gain support from the information technology industry and academia for FBI investigations into threats against U.S. cyber infrastructure. After the events of September 11, 2001, the focus was broadened to include cyber and physical threats to critical infrastructure and key resources.
In the U.S., where the majority of critical systems are run by private enterprise, cooperation between government and industry is essential to protect and enhance the resiliency of U.S. critical infrastructure. InfraGard is based upon this premise and relies upon its members and their individual contributions to this shared mission.
To accomplish this mission, InfraGard promotes ongoing dialogue and timely communication between its members and the FBI through local, regional, and national programs. InfraGard members benefit from access to information and intelligence, networking opportunities, and virtual and in-person training programs and briefings.
One of the most valuable benefits of InfraGard membership is the opportunity to join a local InfraGard Members Alliance (IMA). An IMA is an independent nonprofit organization comprised of InfraGard members. With over 70 IMAs nationwide, there is one available in virtually all states and regions. Each IMA is associated with one of the FBI’s 56 Field Offices to facilitate member interaction with the FBI and advance the national security mission.
The IMAs represent the boots on the ground, offering unique and exciting local member engagement and event opportunities. By joining an IMA, members receive numerous benefits, including access to member-exclusive resources and the opportunity to attend IMA meetings, special events, trainings, webinars, and more! Members also have the chance to grow their network by connecting with other security leaders and professionals in their local area. IMA membership is a valuable and meaningful opportunity for InfraGard members take an active role in the protection of both their local community and their country.
Prospective members who meet these eligibility criteria and share a commitment to InfraGard’s mission are welcome to apply. Current members are also encouraged to refer interested friends and colleagues.
For the past 27 years, InfraGard has been instrumental in building relationships and facilitating information-sharing between the FBI and private industry in its mission to safeguard the nation, its people, and its assets. And the program’s greatest asset is its members.
Please visit the InfraGard website, www.infragard.org, and click on the "Join Today" button.
To qualify for InfraGard membership, an applicant must:
- Be employed or formerly employed within critical infrastructure (student internships may be considered).
- Be at least 18 years of age (as of the date of application completion).
- Be a U.S. citizen (U.S. citizen by birth as defined by 8 USC 1401-1409 or a U.S. citizen by naturalization as defined by 8 USC 1421-1459).
- Agree to the InfraGard information-sharing policy, privacy act statement, agreements to hold harmless, and code of ethics.
- Consent to and pass a security risk assessment and to periodic re-confirmation of the security risk assessment (this does not equate to a security clearance).
FBI Albuquerque Teaches the ABCs of Relationship Building
FBI Albuquerque SAC Raul Bujanda answers questions from students at George I. Sánchez Collaborative Community School as part of its new mentoring program.
Relationships – especially with underserved and historically distrustful communities – are key to fulfilling the FBI’s mission of “protecting the American people.” Strong bonds lead to trust. Trust, in turn, means more people are willing to answer a call or open a door in time of crisis, or they are more likely to choose to join us on our journey of service to others.
FBI Albuquerque is earning top grades when it comes to building relationships through its partnership with George I. Sánchez Collaborative Community School in New Mexico. This K-8 school in the Albuquerque School District is a Title 1 school due to widespread poverty within the student population.
In November 2023, the FBI launched a new partnership with the school to provide Bureau mentors to the students every first Friday of the month. Mentoring takes the form of unstructured interactions – meaning the employees can help in the classrooms, assist in activities, share lunch with the kids, or even spend time on the playground with them.
FBI SAC Raul Bujanda, Community Outreach Specialist Verónica Flores, ASAC Ruben Marchand Morales, ASAC Philip Russell and Training and Civic Liaison Specialist Emily Ashby launch new mentoring program at George I. Sánchez Collaborative Community School in Albuquerque.
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ruben Marchand Morales reads to students at George I. Sánchez Collaborative Community School in Albuquerque.
“These types of interactions help to demystify the FBI, breaking down the intimidation and distrust that often present barriers,” says Raul Bujanda, special agent in charge of the FBI in Albuquerque. “We hope to ultimately build trusting relationships in all of the communities our division serves.”
The goal of this mentorship program is to break down the negative barriers that many in this underserved community may hold about law enforcement in general and the FBI in particular.
“The presence of the FBI program at George I. Sanchez has undeniably created exciting opportunities for agents and staff to actively interact with students, thus playing a vital role in nurturing and supporting our promising future leaders,” says Denise Krafft, assistant principal at George I. Sánchez Collaborative Community School. “This collaboration not only enriches the educational experience but also fosters a strong bond between law enforcement professionals and the upcoming generation, paving the way for a brighter and safer tomorrow.”
In addition to the school day activities, the FBI employees have helped chaperone a dance, contributed to a back-to-school supply drive (in partnership with the Albuquerque FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association), and will soon help in judging their Bilingual Seal program. The bilingual seal program certifies a student at being proficient in reading and writing in two or more languages. (Almost nine of every 10 students at this school are Hispanic.) Soon, the FBI will also soon be hosting a career day event with the students to show them some of the exciting job opportunities that await them.
“Some of the students are ambitious and have goals. There are also others who may not be making the best choices or who do not have a stable foundation to support them. If we can get ahead of them to help pave the path, perhaps we can guide them in a direction of everlasting success,” says Verónica Flores, the FBI Albuquerque community outreach specialist and one of the mentors. “The most rewarding part is seeing the students’ excitement as we walk through the doors. They hug us and call us by name and are excited to give us their latest updates on what means the most to them.”
Is it working? Some thoughts from students:
“I used to be afraid of the FBI, but you are really nice. I am not afraid to talk to you anymore.”
- 4th Grade Student
“When I grow up, I want to be a scientist and a cop!”
- 3rd Grade Student (This student’s eyes light up when he finds out that he could do both in the FBI)
“I am going to make you proud Ms. V! I am going to graduate high school with highest honors, and I will invite you to see me.” - 8th Grade Student
We look forward to helping you all grow into the leaders we know you can be!
For more information on the FBI’s Community Outreach Program, visit fbi.gov/outreach.
"If we can get ahead of them to help pave the path, perhaps we can guide them in a direction of everlasting success.”
Verónica Flores, community outreach specialist, FBI Albuquerque
History
The FBI Academy: A Pictorial History
How’d we end up at Quantico? It began with the so-called “Kansas City Massacre.” In June 1933, three police officers and one Bureau agent escorting a prisoner through a Missouri train station were killed when “Pretty Boy” Floyd and other criminals opened fire on them. Following the public outcry, FBI agents were given the authority to make arrests and to carry weapons for the first time.
But where to learn marksmanship and take target practice? We needed a safe, out of the way place.
Learn more about the origins and evolution of the FBI Training Academy.
Art Theft Program
Ruby Slippers Case Highlights Role of FBI Art Crime Team
Terry Jon Martin, 76, of Grand Rapids, MN, was sentenced in January to time served, one year supervised release and $23,500 Restitution to the Judy Garland Children’s Museum for theft of major artwork, an object of cultural heritage from the care, custody, or control of a museum.
"Today's sentencing underscores our commitment to safeguarding iconic artifacts," said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. "The FBI will continue to investigate and hold accountable those who seek to exploit and unlawfully acquire pieces of historical memorabilia." Learn more
Background: Art Crime
Inside the FBI Podcast: The Art Crime Program
Conservators at the National Museum of American History assisted the Minneapolis Division of the FBI in the case of ruby slippers from the 'The Wizard of Oz' that were stolen in Minnesota in 2005. The museum analyzed and compared the recovered slippers with a pair that has been part of the Smithsonian collection since 1979.
No Place Like Home: Slippers Returned to Rightful Owner
Be an Art Sleuth, Add the National Stolen Art File App to Your Phone
Art enthusiasts, collectors, sellers, and law enforcement can now search the FBI's National Stolen Art File as an app. Law enforcement agencies around the world submit stolen art and cultural property to the National Stolen Art File. The app puts that information on your device for easy searching and saving.
The FBI Alumni E-Brief is distributed through our alumni and family organizations. These groups share it through their membership lists, we do not maintain an individual email list. Currently, the groups receiving the AEB are:
- The Society of FBI Alumni
- Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI
- FBI Agents Association
- FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association
- FBI National Academy Associates
- FBI National Executive Institute Associates
- FBI LEEDA
- InfraGard
- Not a member of one of these organizations? The AEB is on Facebook: FBI-Federal Bureau of Investigation Family (Current/Retired)
If you are aware of another group to assist in sharing this AEB with the FBI family, please let us know. You can also send content suggestions, photo or story submissions, as well as critiques to alumni@fbi.gov.
