Con artists impersonate officials, extort money with threats of arrest
MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is sounding the alarm after receiving a recent influx of reports about phone and text scams where thieves pose as law enforcement or jail officials. These criminals are using a variety of deceptive tactics to extort money from unsuspecting citizens, and authorities are urging the public to be vigilant.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the scam artists often identify themselves as deputies, claiming the victim has missed jury duty or is somehow involved in a fake (or sometimes real) criminal case.
Their goal is to create a sense of panic and urgency, leading the victim to pay a fabricated “fine” or “bail” to avoid arrest.
“If someone contacts you asking for money, purporting to be from a law enforcement agency, any government organization or utility company, a bank, a credit card company, and so forth — hang up and contact the organization yourself,” said MCSO in an email statement.
A key indicator of a scam is the method of payment requested. The Sheriff’s Office warns that legitimate law enforcement agencies will never ask for payment for anything via gift cards or Bitcoin. Any request for these forms of payment is a surefire sign of a fraudulent scheme.
Another common tactic is the “grandparent scam” or similar variations, where a scammer sends a distressing message seemingly from a family member or friend in immediate need of money. The Sheriff’s Office advises that if you receive such a message, you should always contact that family member or friend directly to verify the situation before sending any money.
If you believe you have been targeted by one of these scams, the Sheriff’s Office recommends saving the text, email, or any other information related to the scam and contacting them directly. You can find their contact information and locations at www.keysso.net/locations.
READ: 2 Monroe County Detention Deputies Arrested For Attempting To Smuggle Fentanyl Into Jail
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