In a recent alert, the Broward Sheriff's Office has warned of a troubling scam wherein individuals are posing as law enforcement officials to extort money from unsuspecting victims. According to Local 10 News, these scammers have been contacting people, claiming to be deputies, sergeants, or pretrial specialists, and using high-pressure tactics to demand payment through various electronic transfer services such as Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App.
The Sheriff's Office emphasizes that their personnel would never solicit funds over the phone for bail, pretrial programs, or the release of an individual from custody. As reported by WSVN, a statement from BSO reminded the public that these requests are not legitimate and that official payments are not processed in such a manner. Scammers appear to be preying on the relatives of those recently arrested, hoping to capitalize on the urgency and distress such situations often provoke.
Victims are advised to end the call immediately if they suspect it is a scam and not to disclose any personal information or agree to send funds. To confirm the legitimacy of a person's custody status, they can contact the BSO Main Jail directly or check the information through the BSO website.
For those who have fallen prey to this scam or have received a suspicious call, the Sheriff's Office urges them to report the incident to their non-emergency line. The BSO provides assistance and guidance to help navigate through the after-effects of such scams, striving to prevent future victims.
