WARREN COUNTY — An area sheriff’s office has warned residents of an ongoing scam.
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Deputies reported that scammers are contacting people through calls and texts.
They say that callers are trying to defraud citizens by demanding immediate payments under the threat of arrest, according to the sheriff’s office.
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Scammers claim that victims have missed court dates or owe unpaid fines.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that officers will never demand payment over the phone, request money instead of arrest, or offer to dismiss a warrant in exchange for cash.
The scammers demand digital payments or untraceable funds. They direct potential victims to withdraw cash from their banks, use Bitcoin machines, or send funds through digital payment services such as Zelle, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies said that impersonators may threaten immediate arrest if questioned or demand that victims stay on the line while completing financial transactions.
They said that law enforcement agencies do not conduct monetary transactions through cryptocurrency or pressure citizens to remain on the phone.
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