New Orleans officials are warning of a series of phone scams targeting the families of Orleans Parish jail inmates that promise their release in exchange for payments made through online apps or via gift cards.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that an unidentified number of victims had lost thousands of dollars after receiving phone calls claiming they could secure a loved one’s release from jail.
During the calls, scammers tell victims that the Sheriff’s Office does not accept in-person payments, instead directing them to pay via Cash App, Venmo, Chime, Zelle, Western Union or through retail gift cards…