Police Impersonation Scam Circulating In Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, CT — There's a police impersonation scam brewing in Middletown, authorities said Friday.

Police said that, on Friday, they became aware of numerous residents and local professionals receiving calls from someone claiming to be "Sergeant Scott Saunders/Sanders of the Middletown Police Department.” The Middletown Police Department does not employ anyone by that name and the calls were coming from an internet generated phone number not associated with the Middletown Police Department., authorities said.

The callers had left voicemails and did not answer return calls from the residents or the police.

It was not initially known what the caller's motivation was, police said.

Shortly after 3 p.m., another "local professional" contacted the Middletown Police Department to say that she received a call from the same party. The caller told the resident that she had an outstanding arrest warrant for Failure to Appear in Court on a" civil trial," police said, and attempted to get the resident to withdraw approximately $11,000 and submit it to a Bitcoin machine to "vacate a civil penalty," police said.

The resident was also discouraged from contacting the real Middletown Police Department to verify the caller's identity, police said.

The caller then placed the resident on hold and, in an effort to appear legitimate, put her "in touch" with "Captain Brian Hubbs," who is actually an active member of the Middletown Police Department but made no such solicitation for money, authorities said.

"Thankfully, the complainant did not comply with the caller's instructions and contacted the Middletown Police Department to confirm the call was a scam," police said.

Police added, "The Middletown Police Department urges residents and professionals to contact their local police department if they receive similar calls from anyone claiming to be a police officer and requesting money. No law enforcement agency will request money transfers in any way or discourage callers from contacting the police to check the validity of any investigation."

This case is currently being investigated by the Middletown Police Department Major Investigations Unit. Anyone with information on the suspect’s identity is encouraged to contact the unit at 860-638-4153.