Man Who Scammed Registrants Caught
A Georgia man has been arrested for scamming persons forced to register as sex offenders.
This individual reportedly contacted registrants, falsely claiming to be a law enforcement officer, and demanded money under threats of arrest for supposed non-compliance with registration requirements.
Many members of the Florida Action Committee (FAC) have fallen victim to similar scams, and while we are relieved to see this perpetrator apprehended, we remain concerned that he may receive a lenient sentence. It’s imperative that justice is served to deter other scammers.
Here is the docket sheet in case you want to stay on top of the case or write to the court to let them know how serious this crime actually is.
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Part of the problem is, some registration offices require a registration fee (As told by some on F.A.C) and some of us thankfully do not. It was easy for me when they tried to scam me because not only did I know there was no fees, but I also formally worked in law enforcement, plus F.A.C advised us to not fall for it.
When I hung up on the scammer (who some how got my private phone #) he then chose to call my parents, who also were smart enough to tell the person to go get bent. What was scary for me tho was how much knowledge of law enforcement that scammer had. As former law enforcement myself, this guy knew all the lingo, sounded like a cop, knew all the key words and never missed a beat. Sound like a professional white male, not someone from India trying to trick you. If I didn’t know better, and there had not been an F.A.C to warn us, I might have fallen for it myself.
Lastly, if ever in doubt, call your local sheriff’s office and most of them will tell you if it is a scam or if it is legit. And if they do not answer the phone (Mine does not allow you to call the registry office) if all else fails, spend a few bucks on gas and go in person to ask them if they are being scammed. $5 in gas is better than being scammed out of $100 or more hard earned dollars.
Shamefully, even though I made two police reports, I never got a single follow up and the report was just that, a report that went nowhere. So it is up to us to have each other’s backs. Stay safe and do not let the bad actors take advantage of us.
Sadly, I’m sure the police were far more interested in the fact he represented himself as police officer than the fact he was scamming RSO’s. But at least he was stopped. That’s one down and untold thousands to go.
@Kevin
Surprised they didn’t give him a medal of valor for scamming us. It seems hit or miss with law enforcement. I have filed untold amounts of complaints and only once was I taken seriously. Two deputies came to my house when I called 9-11 about two kids throwing rocks at my house. They arrived and talked to me and said they would go talk to the parents and the kids.
After about 10 minutes, the deputies came back and said they had talked to the parents, and they assured the deputies that their kids would never step foot on my street again and that was 5 years ago. I never saw those kids again. The deputies were polite, professional and treated me with respect and took my concerns seriously. I was surprised because that rarely happens when it involves registered citizens.
Wow I’m impressed here in New Jersey I’ve had the same scam pulled several times. I call the cops and they say “well if you hadn’t committed a crime you would have that happening. I even told my parole officer and he said he would have told me the same thing. I told him I’m still a citizen of The United States and a decorated Veteran. He got embarrassed and left without saying anything else. Yeah I made a mistake but God Damn it I’m more than that. I served for 12 years, I worked with homeless in the inner city, I even went to Seminary and got Ordained. But I’m still just a sex offender.
Vince, we are Citizens that are Forced to Register on America’s Hit List created by America’s Biggest Hypocrite (John W)
Just because one Pleads guilty DOES NOT mean that one is guilty of the charge(s); mostly we were forced to plea out because mostly our attorneys got scared or made a deal
Finally a force of justice! Keep up the good work. BTW fellow registrants and family members please step up in ANY way you can to help organizations like FAC …No donation of time, money and/or talent is too small. We are in this together!
“How did he get that phone #?”
Websites like True People Search. Search a persons name, city and state and it will provide you with not only their home addresses present and past (with links to Google Maps), phone numbers present and past, and email addresses but also lists of possible relatives and associates that you can click on and get their information as well. I found a couple inaccuracies when I searched myself but it was accurate enough. You can request that your information be removed and it happens fairly quickly. Within 24 hours or so. I had mine removed from True People Search and Fast People Search.
I have had many calls from these scammers. The detective that visits me, after me panicking with each call with each call, told me, we don’t do calls, if I need to see or talk to you I’ll come to your door. Hearing that I will have peace and comfort if called. God bless FAC!
I got a call on my cell phone and the scammer told me I needed to pay an outstanding warrant for a registry violation. I told the guy I would meet him at the Sheriff’s office inside the building with a Lieutenant waiting. Then I hung up on him. He proceeded to call my parents (How did he get that phone #?) and my Parents called me, and I told them it was a scam.
I made a police report at the sheriff’s office, but I am sure that went into the file labeled “Who cares”. That was 3 years ago and not a single follow up, even though this scam is still going on and people are falling for it.