Deputies says sex offenders are the latest target in a recent phone scam going on in the area.
In recent days, Vermilion’s Sheriffs office says scammers have been posing as deputies. They are doing so in order to get cash from registered sex offenders.
Detectives say the perpetrates search the online database for offenders, then call and threaten them with jail time. After they convince the victims, they would make them pay with gift cards and through bitcoin to avoid going to prison.
A couple of weeks ago, I finally received the infamous scammer call.
The man, who sounded like an African American male with a West Coast accent called me and identified himself as an “Officer Smith” from the “Local Police.” Seeing as how I live outside of a town with a population of 107 people with no PD, the “local police” would be our county sheriff. It does have an Officer Smith but she’s a causasian female.
Fake Officer Smith claimed he didn’t have my DNA on file (BS, they have it) then he claimed I “missed an important court date” (also BS) and that there’s “a warrant” for my arrest (cops never call to tell you that). He also asked me to confirm I’m on the “sex offender registry”
I told him he’s pretty f’ing bold to call a nationally known anti-registry advocate to pull this and that I know he isn’t a real cop. He hung up on me. I immediately called him back and when he answered, you can imagine what words I told him. I called the scammer a third time, and he sent me to voice mail.
I contacted all Nebraska authorities but none were even remotely interested. Considering my local office feels I bring this upon myself, I’m bringing it upon myself to notify others of this scam.
5 times they have called my mom usually answers the phone. When she tell them I’m not there they Hassel her. She is 91 yrs old, it’s not good for her dress or heart, so I feel bad for her having to deal with it!. Something needs to get done with this, ” all of it ” I know there are people like fac working hard on alot of punitive damage since the registry started. I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel but I kinda feel it is hopefully coming for everyone involved?? š¤šš¤š
Concerned #2
Please give your Mom a Big ole Hug from me. I cannot stand people who take advantage of the elderly. I have a soft spot for Grandma’s. All of mine have passed away so I adopt a lot of old ladies š
Be vigilant. Law enforcement will never ask you for money over the phone. If there is a warrant out for your arrest, most likely they will show up on your doorstep.
#1 Most law enforcement agencies are not going to let you know in advance that there is a warrant out for your arrest.
#2 Law enforcement does not take gift cards or bitcoin, or for that matter tell you to bring or send them money. In a real situation, you pay a bail bondsman. AND another reason they do not tell anyone they have a warrant is, the fear of you taking off and skipping town.
#3 ALWAYS call the real sheriff’s office number and verify any outstanding warrants. In Florida we can look at the FDLE wants and warrants site. (May not always be updated for a day or two after warrant is issued)
I am former law enforcement and those are my tips that you can verify yourself. And if you do go down in person, Always bring a witness with you such as a family member.
Sounds like straight up fraud, impersonating a cop, extortion, and nothing will done to stop it. Arrest the fraudsters and actually get off your butts lazy instead of having a presser or sending out a letter. Hell bells this is beyond ridiculous and how is this crap not punishment, Iām looking at you Chief Injustice Roberts!!
Brandon
If law enforcement would do their *&@# Job, they would ask you to meet the person and the officers would be hiding behind a dumpster to arrest the scammers. Instead they just say “Yeah it’s a scam”.
I was a good detective when I was on the force. Not because I am smart, it is because #1 I truly cared about ALL people, but mostly because I always said “That could be my Mother getting scammed, robbed, raped, beaten etc.
I got the same scam call. They said that there was a new registration requirement and the sheriff’s office was supposed to have told me when I was in for my every six-month registration but they didn’t. Because I didn’t fulfill the requirement there had been a court date that I missed because I hadn’t been told and a warrant had been issued. They also said I could not hang up the phone or be considered on the run. I contacted the real Sheriff’s office and talked with an officer who said it was a scam. Confirmed when they asked me to pay the fees with ‘couchers’ aka gift cards.