Callers Imitate Police In Cinnaminson Phone Scam: Cops

CINNAMINSON, NJ - Cinnaminson police are warning residents about a scam in which the caller impersonates local law enforcement and tries to trick the victim into paying money or going to jail.

As part of this scam, a person usually receives a phone call from someone who claims to be a sheriff, police officer, bounty hunter or lawyer, police said. The caller usually says that there is a warrant for the recipient’s arrest.

Often, the caller claims that the arrest warrant is due to not paying a debt, missing jury duty or committing some other minor infraction, police said. The caller says that a fine is due and that if it is not paid in full that the warrant will be executed.

Typically, the recipient of the call will be asked to wire money or purchase a prepaid card and send it to the caller’s address.

One variation of the warrant scam is that the caller says that the recipient of the call is wanted for hacking into a business’ computer system. The caller demands payment over the phone.

Under these scenarios, the caller attempts to receive payments from as many victims as possible who fall for the scam. The caller may seek payment over the phone, through a wire transfer or through a prepaid debit card.

In some cases, the scammer is able to manipulate caller ID data to show that the call is actually coming from the sheriff’s department or the police department. However, police warn that these calls do not come from law enforcement, and the recipients should not provide information or send any money.

Anyone who thinks they may have been the victim of this scam should call the Cinnaminson Police Department’s non-emergency number at 856-829-6666 and request a call back from an officer.

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