The Burke County Sheriff’s Office has issued a cautionary alert to residents regarding a troubling phone scam that is targeting individuals by falsely claiming they have outstanding arrest warrants. In one alarming instance, a victim, an 85-year-old woman, lost $10,000 after she was tricked into depositing the money into a Bitcoin machine as part of the scam.
According to the sheriff’s office, the scammers are impersonating officials from the U.S. Marshals Service, misleading victims into believing that they face legal repercussions for failing to appear in court. This solicitation is built on a foundation of fear and urgency, pressuring victims to act quickly to resolve the purported issues.
The sheriff’s office emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement agencies will never request payment via unconventional methods such as Bitcoin machines or gift cards. They urge anyone who receives a call of this nature to report the incident to local law enforcement right away. This warning comes amid a wave of similar scams nationwide, highlighting the need for vigilance among the community to protect themselves from fraud.
Residents are encouraged to remain wary of unexpected calls demanding financial actions, especially those that evoke fear of legal consequences.
