Riverside County Residents Threatened With Arrest By Scammers

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The Riverside County Sheriff's Department is warning residents about a recent scam, and local police departments are in turn sharing the information with their respective cities in the hopes of protecting the public.

The latest scheme by fraudsters involves scaring residents into sending money in order to avoid arrest, according to the sheriff's department.

The scammers call victims and provide a legitimate deputy’s name and identification number. The con artists then ask their victims to pay bail, a bond, or a fine via Bitcoin or other digital currency.

The fraudsters threaten victims, telling them if they step off of their property or disconnect the call they will be arrested, the sheriff's department warned.

"The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department will NEVER call asking for payment in exchange for deleting a warrant or preventing an arrest from our county," the department advised.

Unfortunately, the sheriff's department said the arrest scam is not the only recent ruse. There's another one going on in which the fraudster calls victims, informing them they are being investigated in drug trafficking or money laundering cases.

"This elaborate scam advises the victim that their social security is compromised and they must wire large sums of money in order to avoid arrest," the sheriff's department warned. "They are able to disguise their phone numbers as legitimate sheriff’s station numbers and may give the name of a department member."

The sheriff's department and local police departments are advising residents to stay vigilant — and help protect elder family and friends who are often targets of these schemes.

In addition to these recent criminal activities, the FBI has a list of common scams and offers a guide to help the public avoid becoming victims of fraud. Read the FBI information here.