EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WKBT) -- FBI Director Kash Patel sat down with law enforcement in Eau Claire Wednesday to discuss how the federal government can support state and local agencies.
Patel and Congressman Derrick Van Orden addressed issues impacting Wisconsin law enforcement, including the threat of fraud and AI-enabled scams affecting residents across the state.
According to Patel, the FBI is actively dismantling fraud and scam operations globally through President Trump's anti-fraud task force. The agency has made significant progress in seizing assets from criminal networks.
"We are already seizing hundreds of billions of fraud actors and money from around the world," Patel said. "Our international relationships, thanks to President Trump, have allowed us to go overseas and annihilate these scam compounds."
The FBI director emphasized that local law enforcement plays a critical role in identifying and reporting scams. Patel said that residents should not hesitate to come forward, even if they feel embarrassed about falling victim to fraud.
"We know that it might be a little embarrassing or uncomfortable. But if you talk to us about it, we can come in early," Patel said.
The meeting brought together key law enforcement figures, including Altoona Police Chief Kelly Bakken and Special Agent Alan Karr from the FBI's Milwaukee field office, to strengthen coordination between federal and local agencies.
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