As COVID-19 cases rapidly grew in the United States, federal prosecutors warned the public to beware of opportunistic fraudsters seeking to exploit fear and uncertainty for personal gain. The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) issued warnings about the potential increase in price-gouging and similar crimes whose perpetrators would seek to take advantage of the panic surrounding the virus.

In late February the apparel company you work for realized that COVID-19 might have a serious effect in the United States.  You were able to reach out to your contacts and lock in orders for voluminous quantities of difficult to obtain critical supplies. You are not involved in marketing or pricing done by your company.  You have seen some of the media reports about federal price gouging investigations into suppliers of personal protective equipment, but did not think much of them.  Then, one evening, while at home, there is a knock on the door. You open it to find two nicely dressed professionals on your doorstep. “We are from the FBI,” they announce. “We are serving you with a grand jury subpoena. Can we speak with you?” There is no need to panic, but there are better and worse ways to proceed.