SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi is warning the public of a new scheme that targets people with previous involvement in the criminal justice system.
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According to the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, formal letters are being sent to ex-offenders with “Order of Arrest” written at the top under the official Commonwealth seal. The document appears to be an official letter at a glance and is targeted towards specific people threatening incarceration if a fine or bail isn’t paid.
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Hampden County Sheriff’s Office -
Hampden County Sheriff’s Office
A person was targeted for failing to appear for a summons ordered for a sex offender registration review, and the letter stated that they could avoid jail by paying bail for $60,000 or 10 percent surety, for $6,000 cash.
In the letter, some clues point out that the letters are not genuine, including incorrect zip codes, incorrect references to the laws, and typos/misspellings, also the solicitation to send money via Bitcoin through a Coinhub ATM is also something the Commonwealth would not do.