Scam artists are now targeting sexual offenders, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Two local individuals contacted the Sheriff’s Office Wednesday in reference to the scheme.
Both victims said they received calls informing them that the caller had a warrant against them and that they needed to provide cash to the OCSO’s North District or Brackin Office in Crestview, and that they must come alone. One victim was on the phone with the scammer as he went into the Brackin Office on Wednesday. Additional details are still being gathered.
I had this call about two weeks ago. Told me there was a new blood test requirement and that I missed my appointment. I could voluntarily come in to the police station or they would send a car for me. Wanted me to stay on the phone and they would verify my location and track me as I went. I was assuming somewhere along the way would be the mention of the fee and missed appointment penalty.
Yup, my phone has seen some action recently. It detects scammers and displays ” possible scam ” and immediately dismisses those calls. I never answer my phone unless it is a number that is saved on my phone – My family, very close friends and my attorney. I only have 10 people on my phone.
I screen my calls by voicemail.
It has been 7 years since I have answered the phone when I do not recognize the caller on my caller ID. That all started because of the telemarketers calling trying to sell something. My cell phone has a Pennsylvania number and there are always numbers from PA that I do not recognize. They never leave messages and I am clearing my voice mail every day just so someone who I know wants to leave a message. It averages maybe between 5 to 10 calls a day. It’s ridiculous.
Pretty bold scammers to use a police station for a meeting place. That, coupled with the fact they wanted the registered citizen to come alone, and the matter is even being investigated (“Additional details are still being gathered”)…………all points to a rogue cop or cops, in my humble opinion. Crestview/Okaloosa is pretty backwards and full of “good old boys.”
This is a variant of the IRS scam. Someone with an Eastern Indian accent called me last year demanding money in the form of Visa gift cards for back taxes with a threat of arrest if I didn’t pay. I told them to “come get me because I’m not paying the IRS sh#t.” No government agency would make such a call with such demands. The end of my story is, nobody came to arrest me and I didn’t pay.
I always ask the person if there mother knows what they are doing?Really stops them quick ,then I keep hitting on it with what would she say if she knew you were trying to steel from someone like this , try it next time just keep your cool and turn it on