Man Impersonating Deputies Stole $50K From Residents: Broward County Sheriff

BROWARD COUNTY, FL — A man is facing nearly two dozen charges after authorities say he impersonated Broward County deputies in order to scam multiple people out of tens of thousands of dollars.

According to a Broward County Sheriff's Office news release, Raquan Hardy, who is currently in a Pennsylvania jail in connection with similar charges, was taken into custody recently following a weeks-long investigation. Hardy faces a total of 21 charges including organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, impersonating a law enforcement officer, extortion and criminal use of personal identification information.

Authorities launched an investigation in October after a victim said they were contacted by someone claiming to be a Broward County deputy. Using a spoofed phone number, the scammer told victims there were active warrants out for their arrest and they would need to pay a cash surety bond to avoid being taken into custody.

According to authorities, the arrest warrants didn't actually exist.

Investigators said at least four people fell victim to the scam, giving Hardy more than $50,000 from Sept. 7-10. Overall, detectives received more than 20 reports from multiple people — mostly female medical professionals — who said they were contacted by the scammer in early September.

After opening an investigation into the reports, detectives learned similar crimes had occurred in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Authorities then identified Hardy as a suspect in the Broward County cases.

Detectives tracked Hardy to south Florida; however, he fled to Georgia and Texas before investigators finally apprehended him in Dallas. Hardy was then extradited to Pennsylvania, deputies said.

"Please be aware that BSO will never call you to ask for money or personal information, demand bond money or any form of payment," Broward County officials said in a news release. "If you receive this type of call, do not provide any personal information or money. Instead, immediately hang up and contact law enforcement.

The investigation into the scam continues.