The Brief
- A Fort Bend County school worker had her savings account wiped out after scammers spoofed the Sheriff’s Office phone number and threatened her with fake arrest warrants over missed federal jury duty.
- Callers used her real Social Security number, local Southern accents, text-messaged fake court documents, and a “gag order” to keep her isolated and forced her to deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs.
- The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office is launching “Scam Sunday” to remind residents that law enforcement will never call demanding money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to clear a warrant.
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – When a local school worker answered a phone call showing “Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office” on her caller ID, she expected a routine inquiry. Instead, she found herself caught in a high-tech extortion scheme that left her savings account wiped out.
Savings account wiped out
The backstory:
The victim, who asked to remain anonymous, said the caller had her personal information, including her address, birthday, and Social Security number.
The caller claimed she had missed a federal jury summons and was facing immediate arrest.…