Fluorinated oligopeptides, especially those having 4,4-difluoro-2-amino butyric acid at the C terminus, may be effective inhibitors of hepatitis C virus NS3 protease. Examples of hexapeptides of the invention, optimized for binding in the S1 specificity pocket of the enzyme, may display IC50s at the sub-micromolar level. Embodiments of tripeptides of the invention, having a keto-acid group at the C-terminus are, likewise, potent inhibitors of NS3 protease.