The Burke County Sheriff’s Office issued a public warning Friday regarding a phone scam involving callers impersonating federal law enforcement agents. Fraudsters are claiming to be with the U.S. Marshals Service to solicit money from local residents.
[ READ MORE: Fake arrest warrant scam targets North Carolina residents ]
The callers tell victims they have outstanding arrest warrants for failing to appear in court. They then instruct the victims to go to local gas stations with Bitcoin machines to deposit money to clear the warrants.
Multiple individuals reported these calls to the sheriff’s office during the evening hours.
‘Devastating’
One woman deposited approximately $10,000 into a Bitcoin machine before going to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.
Channel 9’s Dave Faherty spoke with the 85-year-old woman’s friend.
“Heartbreaking,” the friend said. “(She) thought she was part of an investigation. It’s devastating. Somebody’s life savings.”
One victim shared the phone number of the alleged scammer with Faherty, so he called it and the person said he was a deputy at the Hampton County Sheriff’s Office.
However, the person on the other line hung up after Faherty said he worked for Channel 9.
A local store owner, who didn’t want to be identified, said he tries to warn customers who are on their phones as they approach the Bitcoin machine.
“If they are always on the phone talking to somebody, I try to write down on a piece of paper, ‘Can we talk first?’” the store owner said.
Faherty experienced firsthand how convincing the scammers could be.
He called one from his work phone. They immediately called Faherty by his name and even knew his wife’s name.
In another case, a couple lost $15,000 to this scheme.
What to know:
The Burke County Sheriff’s Office clarified that law enforcement agencies do not call citizens to demand payment for warrants.
Officials stated that deputies and officers will never instruct individuals to clear a warrant or avoid arrest by sending money through Bitcoin machines, gift cards or other similar payment methods.
Residents who receive these types of phone calls are encouraged to refrain from sending money, hang up, and to report the incident to their local law enforcement agency.
The sheriff’s office is asking community members to remain vigilant and share information about these tactics with friends and family members who may be vulnerable to fraud.
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