In Lake County, a new phone scam has emerged with perpetrators posing as law enforcement officials to squeeze money out of unsuspecting residents, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Citizens are being contacted by individuals claiming to be Lt. Bryan Bowen of the Sheriff’s Office, complete with spoofed phone numbers, lending the impression that the calls originate from within the Sheriff's office itself. These scammers inform residents of fictitious outstanding arrest warrants, demanding payment to resolve the issue.
Warning the public of this deceptive operation, Sheriff Frank Leonbruno posted on social media, stressing that "THESE PHONE CALLS ARE SCAMS," and advising those who receive such calls to report the incident to their local Police Department. In the event one receives a call from someone alleging to be a police officer, and suspicions are raised about the demands made, Sheriff Leonbruno suggests a prudent step: "you can always advise the caller that you will be contacting their agency to confirm the nature of the phone call," in an effort to establish legitimacy. The urgency in this alert stems from the sinister practice of exploiting the authority of law enforcement to swindle residents— a serious issue that the Lake County Sheriff’s Office is keen on quashing.
According to a statement obtained by the Lake County Sheriff's Office, they have issued a clear reminder, "The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will never call you and request that you pay money to cancel a warrant." This direct communication is part of the department's broader effort to educate and protect the public from such fraudulent schemes, which often prey on fear and trust in law enforcement.
Lake County residents should remain vigilant and skeptical about unsolicited calls that involve personal information or financial transactions. The Sheriff's Department asserts its commitment to integrity and transparency and maintains that law enforcement officers do not cold-call citizens to solicit payments for warrant cancellations. To stay informed, residents can follow the Sheriff's Office statements and updates on their official social media channels,
