New scam targets registered sex offenders with arrest threat

A new scam is targeting registered sex offenders, claiming they missed court dates that never actually existed.

The US Marshal’s Service is warning the public that scam artists claiming they are Deputy US Marshals or Federal Marshals are working to extort money from sex offenders over the phone.

According to authorities, the caller says that their target owes an “East District of Louisiana Federal Court” fine payment for missing a “federal sex offender screening” court hearing. The caller then states that the sex offender has missed their hearing and that the federal court put out a warrant for their arrest.

The only way to resolve this, according to the caller, is to wire money via Western Union. They even claim the money could be refunded at a later date.

“It is important for the public to remember that no legitimate business will require personally identifiable information over the phone nor will the U.S. Marshals Service ever threaten arrest over the telephone for non-payment of court fines or fees or request a wire transfer,” a statement from the US Marshal’s Service read.

SOURCE