The Brief
- A Tampa man says scammers impersonating the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office convinced him he had warrants out for his arrest.
- The scammers used fake court documents, threats of arrest and a Bitcoin ATM to steal about $800 from him.
- The Better Business Bureau warns Florida is a top target for scammers and says no legitimate law enforcement agency will demand payment through crypto, gift cards or payment apps.
TAMPA, Fla. – A Tampa man says he lost hundreds of dollars after falling victim to an elaborate scam that convinced him he was speaking with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Derek Haydt says the scammers used fake court documents, threats of arrest and a cryptocurrency ATM to take his money.
“What am I in trouble for?”
Timeline:
“What am I in trouble for? What have I done?” Haydt recalled thinking when the call first came in.…