Warren County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Bitcoin Scam
Scam Targets Local Citizens
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office, located in the heartland of Kentucky, has received reports of an ingenious phone scam targeted at unsuspecting citizens. This rising menace involves a complex setup with fraudsters spoofing the Sheriff’s Office phone number to ensnare victims.
The scammers pose as officials from the Sheriff’s Office who claim the victim has skipped federal jury duty and in turn, incurred a bench warrant. The objective behind this scam is to deceive citizens into parting with their hard-earned money using the fear of legal repercussions.
Modus Operandi: Digital Currency and Autograph Verification
According to the reports, the victims of this scam are asked to withdraw cash from their bank account, then head to the nearest Kroger supermarket. At this point, they are instructed to deposit their cash into a kiosk for the purpose of purchasing Bitcoin, a popular digital currency. The victims are then directed to make their way to the Sheriff’s Office for ‘autograph verification’. They are further misled with assurances of being reimbursed.
A Warning against Falling Prey to the Scam
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office has raised a stern caution to its citizens, highlighting its procedural norm. It made it crystal clear that the department does not make calls on matters related to missing court dates, jury duty or to issue warrants. The Office particularly drew attention to the fact that court fees and warrants cannot be settled using cash, gift cards, Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency.
Increased Vigilance Mitigates Risk
Especially in such sensitive times when digital transactions are becoming the norm, it is essential to remain vigilant and skeptical of any calls or requests demanding immediate payment or personal information. The Sheriff’s office has urged the public to not share personal information over a call and to authenticate any claims independently.
It is a good practice to hang up on calls that seem suspicious and to contact relevant institutions directly using their officially listed contact information. Remember, it’s better to err on the side of caution than to fall prey to scams.
Scams of such nature not only rob people off their money but also undermine their trust and sense of security. Therefore, it is crucial that the public is informed about the prevalence and methods of such fraudulent activities. As yet, no information has been made available on whether there have been any victims of this scam or any leads on the perpetrators behind it.
Report Incidents Promptly
If you or anyone you know have received such calls, you’re urged to report the incident to your local Sheriff’s Office so they can track down the perpetrators. By doing so, you can contribute in curbing the rise of such fraudulent activities in your community. By staying informed, vigilant, and reporting incidence promptly, we can collectively safeguard our society.
