City and county officials in San Antonio are joining forces to combat a concerning trend of scams targeting local residents, particularly through schemes involving jury duty. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar has raised alarms over this fraudulent activity, revealing that scammers have been impersonating representatives of the Sheriff’s office to deceive victims into shelling out thousands of dollars.
Sheriff Salazar emphasized the gravity of the issue, describing how victims receive phone calls lasting several hours, during which they are misled into thinking they can pay off fictitious fines. The scam involves directing victims to Bitcoin ATMs located in various retail stores where they are instructed to deposit money under the guise of resolving a supposed legal obligation.
In light of this problem, Sheriff Salazar reached out to the city council in February, suggesting the adoption of a new ordinance modeled after one that was successfully implemented in Omaha, Nebraska. His letter outlined the need for signage at Bitcoin ATMs to alert users about the potential risks of falling victim to these scams.
In response, District 9 Councilwoman Misty Spears took the initiative to contact Sheriff Salazar, resulting in a collaborative effort between her and fellow councilmembers Teri Castillo, Marina Alderete Gavito, and Marc Whyte. Together, they penned a four-signature memo requesting a special meeting to expedite changes aimed at enhancing protective measures against such scams.
Spears stated, “It’s going to happen within 30 days from the February 25 date,” highlighting the urgency of the matter. The council plans to finalize the language that will address not only jury duty scams but also other fraudulent activities observed both locally and nationally.
Notably, the intensity of these scams has escalated significantly over the years. Data from the sheriff’s office revealed that victims lost over $1.7 million to various scams in 2025, a glaring increase from just $24,000 recorded in 2020. Sheriff Salazar expressed concern about the challenges in tracing the scammers but remained hopeful about assisting victims in recovering their lost funds.
The upcoming special session will focus on potential amendments to the city’s charter that would include specific provisions for addressing jury service fraud, as well as requirements for digital asset kiosks. While a date for this pivotal meeting has yet to be scheduled, the collaborative efforts among local leaders signal a proactive approach to protecting citizens from fraud.
