Scammer Says He's a Deputy to Part Victims from Cash

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to take care when answering their phones. The person on the other end of the line just might be a scammer looking to part victims and their money.

The new twist on the old jury duty scam was first brought to the attention of the sheriff’s office in early March. So far, two incidents have been reported.

In this version of the scam, a caller dials Pinellas residents and tells them he’s “Lt. Wade Harris” of the sheriff’s office. “Harris” goes on to tell those who answer they have outstanding warrants for their arrest for failure to report for jury duty.

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“He explains to them if they do not pay the fines they will be arrested at their residence,” an email from the sheriff’s office to media stated. “They can turn themselves in to the sheriff’s office or they can pay the fine and the warrant will no longer be active.”

The scammer goes on to tell his targets to head to a convenience store and buy gift cards in increments of $500. Once the cards are in hand, he asks them to call back to give him the reference numbers on the backs of the cards.

The problem, according to the sheriff’s office, is simple: “The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office will never call citizens requesting money over the telephone.”

The entire production, including this particular scammer’s use of “official sounding” background noise such as a police scanner and heavy keyboard typing, are meant to keep up the ruse to dupe victims into buying the cards, the agency said.

Anyone who has information on this scam or who has become a victim of it is asked to call Sgt. Frank Holloway with the Economic Crimes Unit at 727-582-6200.

Image via Shutterstock

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