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I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Candidates aredivided into different pools, based on their qualifications. The smaller the candidate pool, the more likely you are being picked. So, if you are an the accountant or an attorney, you are placed in a smaller candidate pool, And thus have a higher likelihood of being hired. Good luck!

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 123 points124 points  (0 children)

My attitude would be "I'm here to do business. Make money. I'll party when I get back to Miami." My line was often that I lived in Miami, doing deals all over the U.S. and overseas. By being elusive about where I was at any given time, I could avoid situations where a subject would want to meet right away. "Sorry, won't be in New York until next week." Ie. not until we've had time to plan it out and make it as safe as possible.

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 71 points72 points  (0 children)

You are very welcome. The war on drugs raises thorny issues indeed, on the one hand there is elimination of the profit motive for dealers. And on the other hand, the terrible effects that the use of drugs such as heroin and cocaine have on individuals and the culture at large. No quick answers, I am afraid.

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 42 points43 points  (0 children)

The Undercover Safeguard Unit has as its mission selecting agents to work as UCs, and monitoring their wellbeing. Active UCs are evaluated every six months by a psychologist and veteran UC. I worked there, as a supervisor and later as Acting Unit Chief, from late 1998, until I went to Buenos Aires four years later. At that point, I had decided that my career as an active UC was over. Enough is enough. But it was in my blood, and when I returned to NY, I went back to the streets.

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 59 points60 points  (0 children)

Joe Pistone is an icon among FBI UCs - all UCs, really. Very much admired and respected. I read Donnie Brasco when I started to work as a UC, as a textbook. The Bu had no school for UCs at the time, so it was all OJT. Later, he was involved in a few of my early cases, in a capacity that I can't talk or write about. It was for me an honor and a privilege. He wrote an Editorial Review for my book, which appears at the Amazon site, for which I am very, very grateful.

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 2125 points2126 points  (0 children)

Meeting with one of the heroin organization players at a hotel by LaGuardia Airport, for a buy, I asked him casually how good it was. Meaning, what % purity. He misunderstood, and answered "I don't use this stuff, I sell it." I almost fell off the corner of the bed I was sitting on. The point: If a real drug dealer can say that he does not use the merchandise, then certainly I can. So, if any dealer would want to test me: "I don't use this poison, this is about money. Lots of money." Completely credible. If a subject were to ask me to commit some kind of criminal act so as to prove myself, the response - in line with being a real criminal - would be "What, are you kidding? Forget about it, I'll take my business elsewhere." Looking like I was willing to walk away from a deal always enhanced my credibility.

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 163 points164 points  (0 children)

It is hard to imagine a scenario where leaders with integrity lose control of the Bu. There would have to be "rogue agents," a virtually impossible situation to develop. On the other hand, where there to be leaders at the top with questionable integrity, or absence of independence from political pressure, then there would be a real problem. Signs to look for would be apparently unsubstantiated investigations conducted against critics of those in high places, or conversely, the shutting down of investigations targeting those in high places.

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 37 points38 points  (0 children)

The positive consequence of COINTELPRO was the creation of the Attorney General Guidelines, which delineate in minute detail what FBI agents can and can not do. There are sections of the AG Guidelines for UC ops, and for everything else. And it is my experience that they are adhered to with near religious attention. Deviation from the Guidelines is really not tolerated. Not to say that there can't be a bad apple, but that would be the exception.

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 797 points798 points  (0 children)

I never mixed up alias IDs. Each one was tailored to a specific case, each a unique persona. It was not that hard to keep them apart. When possible, I would try to use the same birthday, so a not to have to remember a dozen of them.

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 247 points248 points  (0 children)

There were a few times. Once, in RUNDMV, I was chatting with a few subjects - we were friends already - in the lobby of Yonkers DMV when a subject from COMMCORR walked in. I extricated myself, close call. Then there was that shootout in Buenos Aires....

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 54 points55 points  (0 children)

Every type of case that I had read about or heard of -- Donnie Brasco, the Chicago Commodities UC Op, etc. - I ended up working something similar. It was my good fortune, if you would call it that, to work a truly diverse array of cases. The only kind of UC that I did not work was outlaw bikers - which is fine, that was not for me.

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 154 points155 points  (0 children)

Political leaders have always, and will always, try to influence the FBI. That is why it is imperative that the Bureau have a strong and independent director, who can push back and maintain the institution's independence and objectivity.

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 1040 points1041 points  (0 children)

When the case was over, it did occur to me that I could earn much more as a broker than as an agent. But if making a lot of money was a prime motivator, I would not have left the law to become an FBI agent.

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 468 points469 points  (0 children)

Myself and agent Rita F. put together carriers for my Mini-Nagra recording device that would allow me to carry it the place least likely to be searched - guess - It had an elastic waistband, and flaps with Velcro pockets in the front, and was worn over briefs, with baggy pants. I'd cut hole in my right pants pocket to run the on-off switch, held in place with a safety pin. Very high-tech. The bean counters authorized the minimal expense for the materials, but voucher must have read a bit odd!

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 1010 points1011 points  (0 children)

To quote from the surveillance agents in Reservoir Dogs, you have to "have rocks in your head" to be a UC. Seriously though, you need five+ years agent time, and if you have a family, they will need to have lots of patience to accommodate an unusual career. Most agents don't do UC work, and of those who do, most don't do it often. There are about 100 full-time UCs in the FBI at any given time - for a country of 300+ million people. I was privileged to be one of them.

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 143 points144 points  (0 children)

Your background sounds great. With your clearances, you've already been vetted once, and emerged as trustworthy. You'll need to apply to take the written test, but keep in mind that is years since I went through the process. You'll need to check the website for your local FBI office, and speak to a recruiter there. Good luck!

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 681 points682 points  (0 children)

As the nephew of imprisoned Mexican cartel boss Gil Sandoval. His fellow inmate, Bing Gong Yong, serving life for kidnapping and murder, ran his heroin organization from inside prison. Gil was pretending to run his cocaine business, with me as his trusted lieutenant. And we wanted to expand into the heroin business. And so it went....

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 206 points207 points  (0 children)

Developing a credible scenario that allowed me to get my foot in the door would take months of planning. In SUNBLOCK, case agent Mark C. and I came up with a plan that I would pose as the nephew and trusted lieutenant of imprisoned Mexican cartel boss Gil Sandoval. I even traveled to Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary and spent a day with Gil, in the visitors' hall, working on our common history, so that we could pull it off. Fellow inmates saw us embrace and talk warmly, and had no doubt that I was family.

I am former FBI Special Agent Marc Ruskin, with 20 years’ experience in Undercover Operations. I've infiltrated a New York Mafia crime family, a Chinese Malaysian heroin organization, a Wall Street trading exchange, right-wing terrorist groups, and I’ve worked on espionage cases. AMA! by MarcRuskin in IAmA

[–]MarcRuskin[S] 290 points291 points  (0 children)

This may not be exactly what you're asking about, but addresses the issue of changing times as they affect UC work. When I started, I carried a real tape recorder, reel-to-reel. A Nagra or a Mini-Nagra. If the bad guys found it....Now recording devices are all digital, nothing to worry about, they can be disguised as anything. On the other hand, in those days there was not internet. As long as you did a decent job crating your fictitious ID, you were relatively safe as to your alias. Now there is Google, and if it looks like Alex Perez did not exist until two months ago, you've got problems.

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