The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office has investigated incidents where phone calls have been made from people who have represented themselves as Law Enforcement officers from official Law Enforcement agencies. These calls are being made to parents claiming that their children or grandchildren have been arrested and are in jail, usually for drug violations. These callers are representing themselves as high ranking officers and are giving return call back numbers. When these numbers are called they are being answered by someone stating they are an official Law Enforcement agency. A list of charges is given to the caller. The calls appear to sound official.
Upon further questioning, The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office has been able to determine that the calls, and the persons representing themselves are not official, and the children or grandchildren in question have not been arrested anywhere. The suspects are requesting the parent to wire money to “Bail Bondsman Acct” this is a fraudulent account used for the purpose of defrauding people. The parents are advised that the child will be released from custody upon receipt of the money. The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office has been able to locate the “supposedly jailed children” and confirm that they were not under arrest, and in good condition before any money was transferred. These calls have been coming from Canada. Canadian Authorities have been notified and are investigating.
If you receive a call of this type from anywhere, ask for the name and call back number for the alleged agency. Then call your local law enforcement agency to help you verify whether or not this is a legitimate call or someone trying to commit a crime. Do not send money anywhere.
Remember that a legitimate Law Enforcement agency will not ask you to send money anywhere to secure the release of a person.
Law Enforcement will tell you that your relative has been arrested and where they are. Law Enforcement usually will do this only if the child is under the age of 18. This is not typically done for adult children.
Contact your local Law Enforcement agency if you have any Questions.
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