FBI issues warning of Terrorist Activities Related to Hobby Shops

The FBI Campaign Communities Against Terrorism is aimed at educating hobby shop owners and the industry on the Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Hobby Shops.

What Should I Consider Suspicious?


Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Hobby Shops

Be part of the solution.

Require valid ID from all new

customers.

Keep records of purchases.

Talk to customers, ask questions, and

listen to and observe their responses.

Watch for people and actions that are out

of place.

Make note of suspicious statements,

people, and/or vehicles.

If something seems wrong, notify law

enforcement authorities.

Do not jeopardize your safety or the safety

of others.

Preventing terrorism is a community effort.

By learning what to look for, you can make a

positive contribution in the fight against

terrorism. The partnership between the

community and law enforcement is

essential to the success of anti-terrorism

efforts.

Some of the activities, taken individually,

could be innocent and must be examined by

law enforcement professionals in a larger

context to determine whether there is a basis

to investigate. The activities outlined on this

handout are by no means all-inclusive but

have been compiled from a review of terrorist

events over several years.

• Demonstrating unusual interest in remote-controlled aircraft.

• Demonstrating interest that does not seem genuine.

• Inquiring about remote controls and model aircraft payload

capacity and maximum range.

• Inquiring about learning to fly expensive giant-scale aircraft

without first learning to fly small-scale aircraft.

• Possessing little knowledge of activity for which the purchase

is intended.

• Exhibiting unusual interest or specific interest in rocket motors

or igniters.

• Demonstrating no interest or enthusiasm for the hobby or

sport.

• Shoplifting or purchasing

Large quantity of model aircraft fuel.

Several large aircraft, engines, or transmitters.

Model rocket motor igniters without adequate knowledge.

Large quantity of paintball equipment and supplies with

very little information about local paintball activities.

• Using cash for large transactions or a credit card in someone

else’s name.

It is important to remember that just because someone’s speech,

actions, beliefs, appearance, or way of life is different, it does not

mean that he or she is suspicious.

Communiittiies Agaiinstt Terroriism

What Should I Do?

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL FEDERAL BUREAU

OF INVESTIGATION OFFICE

This project was supported by Grant Number 2007-MU-BX-K002, awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Each indictor listed above, is by

itself, lawful conduct or behavior and may also constitute the exercise of rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. In addition, there may be a wholly innocent explanation for conduct or behavior that

appears suspicious in nature. For this reason, no single indicator should be the sole basis for law enforcement action. The totality of behavioral indicators and other relevant circumstances should be

evaluated when considering any law enforcement response or action.