The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public after receiving multiple reports from residents targeted by fraudulent phone calls and text messages demanding payments through gift cards and cryptocurrency.
According to authorities, scammers frequently operate from a distance while masking their phone numbers to appear as local agencies on caller ID.
The callers falsely identify themselves as local law enforcement officers, bank representatives, court officials, business owners, or government leaders in an effort to extort funds and complicate law enforcement investigations.
Deputies identified three primary types of schemes currently affecting the community:
The most frequent is the warrant or jury duty scam. In these incidents, callers pose as law enforcement or court personnel and claim that the resident has missed jury duty, owes court fines, or faces an outstanding warrant.
Callers threaten immediate arrest unless the victim quickly transfers money via gift cards, cryptocurrency wallets, or crypto ATMs. Authorities noted that the high-pressure tactics are designed to induce panic and prevent individuals from verifying the claims.
The agency also highlighted advance fee scams, in which fraudsters promise large financial returns, lottery winnings, inheritances, or low-interest loans. Before any funds are released, victims are instructed to pay upfront fees for supposed legal expenses, taxes, or processing costs. Once funds are transferred, the perpetrators either demand additional payments or sever communication entirely.
Additionally, officials pointed to romance cryptocurrency scams. In these cases, perpetrators construct fake identities on social media and dating apps to establish emotional relationships over weeks, months, or years.
After gaining the target’s trust, scammers convince them to send cryptocurrency directly, provide emergency financial aid, or deposit funds into fraudulent investment platforms. The deception typically continues until the victim is financially depleted, at which point the scammer cuts off contact.
“Be aware! Always hang up and contact the organization or person yourself!” the Sheriff’s Office stated, encouraging residents to stay vigilant and share the warning with others.
READ: Florida Targets The New York Times In Records Showdown Over Editorial Oversight
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
