FBI urges public to report suspected transnational organized crime, outlines reporting channels and source protections

FBI officials said that tips from the public play a central role in identifying and investigating transnational organized crime and described how members of the public can report suspicious activity and how the Bureau protects sources.

"If you believe you have a tip, you can call or visit any of the FBI's field offices or resident agencies to provide information about known or suspected transnational organized crime activity," the host said, adding that tips also can be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov. For internet-related complaints, the episode directed listeners to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

Joseph, unit chief in the FBI's Transnational Crime Section, stressed that tips often reveal patterns: isolated incidents that on their own seem minor can, when connected, show links to a larger criminal enterprise. He said the Bureau works with partners domestically and overseas to follow leads and, where appropriate, effect arrests and prosecutions in cooperation with foreign partners.

Speakers emphasized confidentiality measures for sources who may not be able to testify. "We will work within those constraints to still get the information, but protect where the sourcing is coming from," Joseph said, and added the Bureau seeks to conceal sources where possible so prosecutions can proceed.

Why it matters: Public reporting channels can provide the initial data points that reveal transnational patterns; understanding where to report and the Bureau's protections may increase reporting and help build cases.

The episode also provided web resources (fbi.gov/organizedcrime, fbi.gov/news) and directed listeners to the My FBI Dashboard app for additional episodes and materials.