Jurisdiction is based on the type of crime

and where the crime took place

NOTE: Regardless of the country in which you live, before filing a complaint with a foreign agency you must first file a complaint with your local police.  The complaint number, police station name, address, phone number, and the investigating officer's name are vital for international correspondence.  If you do not supply this information, you will be directed to call back when the information is available.

BEFORE CONTACTING THE AUTHORITIES it is very important to determine the jurisdiction of your complaint.

For instance, the FBI or SEC will not provide as much action for an investment scam as the state securities commission in your own state and the state in which the scammer is located. 

On the other hand, if you were targeted by a construction or insurance fraud ring your local law enforcement detectives plus your own state's Attorney General's Office would be the places to file your complaint.  This way, you have only reported the crime to one jurisdiction and given that jurisdiction additional support or impetus through the Attorney General's Office.

By reporting your complaint to the proper authority at the outset you gain speed of action, correct information, and experienced case agents.  Not all branches of law enforcement are aware of the complexities of all scams, nor of the specialties of the different branches of law enforcement.  In other words, you may inadvertently hand your case over to a division that handles fraud, but not necessarily the kind of fraud you are reporting.

Since each officer and division wants credit for solving crimes, this could mean that your case will be handled by an officer to the best of his or her ability, but not as efficiently as it would be if the case were handled by an officer who has vast experience and back-up for the type of fraud you are reporting.

It is also important to understand that jurisdictions overlap.  Before reporting a fraud, it is a good idea to consult the local offices of law enforcement available to you to determine their area of expertise.  

Never submit your report to more than one federal agency within your country.

This will only cause confusion and will not advance your case at all.

Once you have determined which branch of law enforcement to call, telephone and say "I am reporting a fraud."  They will ask you a few particulars, including the amount involved, your address, phone number, and will probably ask you to come down to the office and meet with a particular investigator.  Depending on the situation, they may come to you.

However, when reporting an Internet fraud or Identity Theft things must be handled a little differently.  Not all local law enforcement is ready to receive such reports and you will find instructions in the Internet section and Identity Theft sections in this chapter.

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