Scammers Impersonating Montgomery Co. Sheriffs, Luring Bitcoin Payments

NORRISTOWN, PA — Scammers are now impersonating Montgomery County sheriffs and soliciting payments from residents on fake arrest warrants, the district attorney's office said Tuesday.

Callers typically say that the warrant has been issued because the individual did not show up for jury duty. They are then told that they can avoid arrest by depositing cash at a local Bitcoin ATM for the "sheriff's department."

Calls comes from spoofed 610 area codes so they appear legitimate, and scammers, who identify themselves as "sergeant," usually have personal information on their potential victims.

"Residents of Montgomery County should be aware that arrest warrants are neverdealt with in this way,” District Attorney Kevin Steele said in a statement “If a warrant is issued due to a failure to appear in court, no money is required to clear it. These matters must be addressed in a courtroom before a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Anyone who has received one of these fraudulent calls should immediately report it to Montgomery County detectives.”

County law enforcement is investigating.

If you are concerned you are the victim of a scam or unsure if a call is legitimate, call the main Courthouse phone number of 610-278-3000 and ask for the Sheriff’s Department. Victims should report scams to the Montgomery County Detective Bureau at 610- 278-3368.