Phone Scam Impersonating Law Enforcement Reported In Lacey

LACEY, NJ — Lacey police reported a phone scam in which the call impersonates law enforcement. The caller "spoofs" their phone number so it looks like they are calling from an official law enforcement agency.

Lacey police took the report from a victim who recently received an email from what appeared to be a valid lender, informing the victim their loan application was approved. The victim then called the purported loan officer's phone number listed in the email and provided personal banking information.

The victim and caller had contact several times via telephone regarding the loan. The scam included money getting deposited in the victim's account and the victim having to make additional "good-faith" payments. This included West Union payments and withdrawals from the victim's bank account.

The victim described the caller as a male with a Middle-Eastern accent.

After realizing the scam was occurring, the victim ceased contact and blocked the number. The suspect then made contact again, purporting to be a law enforcement official. The caller attempted to further scam the victim by threatening police action if they did not continue to allow themselves to be defrauded.

Lacey police issued the following statement:

"As always the public is urged to avoid scams and not provide any unknown and/or untrusted sources with personal information. Furthermore, the Lacey Township Police Department advises all residents that if they are contacted by anyone representing themselves as a law enforcement official and they are unsure of the validity of their claim, they should end the call and contact the agency themselves utilizing the agency’s official contact information. Additionally, residents may always visit Police Headquarters and/or can request a uniformed officer in a marked police vehicle respond to meet with them to ensure the proper identification is made."

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