SEDGWICK COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW) — The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a phone scam involving someone impersonating one of their deputies.
The scammer is using the name of Deputy Branden Stitt — the department’s public information officer — and claiming targets have missed jury duty and face arrest unless they send cryptocurrency.
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“Most of the time it’s in reference to an unpaid ticket, a missed jury summons, or some type of criminal action that is being taken by the court against this individual,” Stitt said. “The conversation can become extremely lengthy. These scammers educate themselves on what they are trying to get from the individuals, and they use scare tactics.”
Stitt said one recent case involved a woman receiving a call from someone pretending to be him, claiming she had failed to appear for jury duty. The caller told her she could avoid jail by transferring bitcoin. She didn’t fall for it — but others might…