The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) issued an urgent warning on Thursday after discovering a wave of phishing emails that falsely claim to come from Executive Director Adria Berry. The deceptive messages contain links and attachments that could compromise personal data or install malware on a recipient’s device.
What the scam looks like
According to the agency’s press release, the bogus emails appear to be sent from a legitimate OMMA address and often reference ongoing medical‑marijuana initiatives in the state. They may ask recipients to provide confidential information, confirm account details, or download attached documents that are actually malicious code.
OMMA’s response
OMMA stressed that the emails did not originate from the agency and that any legitimate communication from the authority will come from its official website or verified government channels. The agency urged anyone who receives a suspicious message to:
- Never click on links or open attachments.
- Delete the email immediately.
- Report the incident to OMMA’s cyber‑security team.
“We take the security of Oklahoma’s medical‑marijuana community very seriously,” the release stated. “Our priority is to protect patients, caregivers, and the public from fraud and cyber threats.”
Cyber investigation underway
The Office of Management and Enterprise Services Cyber Command Team has taken over the investigation, working to trace the source of the phishing campaign and to mitigate any further damage. While the investigation is ongoing, OMMA reminded residents that the agency does not request personal or financial information via email.
How to verify legitimate OMMA communications
To ensure a message is authentic, Oklahoma residents should check the sender’s email address for the official @ok.gov domain, look for proper branding, and compare the content with information posted on OMMA’s official website. If there is any doubt, contacting OMMA directly through the phone number listed on its site is the safest course of action.
Why the warning matters
Medical‑marijuana patients and caregivers rely on OMMA for guidance on licensing, compliance, and product safety. A successful phishing attack could not only expose personal data but also undermine confidence in the state’s regulated market. By acting quickly and spreading awareness, OMMA hopes to curb the spread of these fraudulent emails and protect the community’s trust.
For ongoing updates, Oklahoma residents can follow OMMA’s official social‑media channels or sign up for alerts on the agency’s website.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
