Postal inspectors are tasked with investigating a wide variety of crimes. The public may not realize just how wide the range of offenses can be that affect the U.S. mail and those who move, process, and deliver it. Inspectors investigate crimes involving:
- Mail fraud
- Mail theft
- Robberies and burglaries
- Assaults and threats on postal employees
- Identity theft
- Money laundering
- Counterfeit money orders and stamps
- Revenue fraud
- Cybercrime and Internet scams
- Child exploitation through the mail
- Mailing of dangerous materials
- Mailing of controlled substances
Global Security and Investigations
The U.S. Postal Service handles approximately 40% of the world’s total mail volume, including mail sent between the U.S. and other countries. The Postal Inspection Service’s Global Security and Investigations (GSI) office is critical to ensuring that the sanctity of that mail is not hindered by national borders. The GIS is responsible for protecting U.S. mail (military and diplomatic) that moves between foreign postal administrations and U.S. installations overseas as well as securing postal revenues generated by international business development. To do this, the GSI serves as a liaison between the Postal Inspection Service and a variety of international organizations, including the Universal Postal Union.
