The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of an active scam in which criminals impersonate law enforcement officers and pressure individuals into sending money through Bitcoin kiosks or other cryptocurrency methods.
In a recent case, an individual received a phone call from a person falsely claiming to be a deputy sheriff. The caller used a private phone number, provided a fake badge or identification number, and referenced legitimate Sheriff’s Office employees and locations in an effort to appear credible.
The victim was told that there were outstanding warrants for their arrest and claimed the matter could be resolved through immediate payment. The caller demanded compliance, instructed the individual to remain on the phone, and warned against speaking to anyone else. The victim was then directed to withdraw cash and deposit it into a Bitcoin kiosk. The victim complied out of fear of arrest and suffered a significant financial loss.
After the transaction was completed, the caller disconnected and could not be contacted again. The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that this was a “scam” and reminds the public that deputies will never demand payment over the phone or through cryptocurrency.
Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington said, “Let me be very clear, no deputy with the Bossier Sheriff’s Office will ever call or text someone demanding money, threatening arrest, or instructing them to use Bitcoin, kiosks, gift cards, or wire transfers. If you receive a call like this, it is a scam. Hang up immediately and contact us directly.”
COMMON RED FLAGS OF THIS SCAM:
• Calls claiming to be from law enforcement demanding immediate payment
• Threats of arrest if instructions are not followed
• Requests for payment through Bitcoin, kiosks, gift cards, or wire transfers
• Instructions to stay on the phone and not speak with anyone else
• Calls from private or spoofed phone numbers
• Requests for personal or financial information
ALWAYS REMEMBER:
• Law enforcement does not collect fines, fees, or warrant payments by phone
• Law enforcement does not accept cryptocurrency as payment
• Warrants and Jury matters are handled “in person” through the courts
Anyone who receives a suspicious call claiming to be from the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office is urged to hang up and contact the Sheriff’s Office directly at (318) 965-2203.Enter the first part of your article here…