Unknown Subject Attempted to Use Masked DOI Email Addresses to Commit Fraud

The OIG investigated allegations that counterfeit purchase requests for high value electronic goods, appearing to have been sent by officials in the U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Acquisition and Property Management (PAM), had been sent to small businesses throughout the United States. We substantiated the allegations. We found fraudulent emails and purchase requests linked to at least two PAM employees who had not written or authorized the documents. We found that the suspect used an online service that masked the sender’s email address and gave victims the impression the emails were sent from official “.gov” email accounts. There were no indications that any of the fraudulent purchase attempts were successful. Our findings indicated the subject was likely outside of the United States and there was no apparent loss to the Government or any of the small businesses, so we closed our investigation.