Asheville Police Issue Warning About Fraud Scam

Elaborate Scam Targets Asheville Locals

Police in Asheville, N.C., are cautioning locals about a “sophisticated scam” on the rise. The con artists falsely claim that there is a federal arrest warrant pending, alleging failure to attend jury duty. This elaborate scheme has raised concern among authorities, aiming to defraud innocent citizens.

The Asheville Police Department has urged residents to exercise caution with unsolicited phone calls, texts, or emails that appear unfamiliar or suspicious.

Modus Operandi

As reported by the police, the scam begins with the assailant contacting potential victims via phone or email. They allege that the recipient failed to report for jury duty, and consequently, there is an outstanding federal warrant for their arrest.

The scam artist may even present a phony arrest warrant displaying bona fide names of N.C. federal law enforcement officers and prosecutors for additional legitimacy. They demand payment to avert incarceration, frequently seeking remittance via a virtual currency terminal or kiosk. In some scenarios, duped recipients have noticed the ability to manipulate caller IDs, making the call appear to originate from a courthouse or government agency.

Beware of Red Flags

Victims are occasionally directed to submit a receipt to the Asheville Police Department for “filing”. The post urges, ” Legitimate arrest warrants are never emailed or texted,” adding they are directly served by the court or law enforcement officials.

The authorities went ahead to clarify that no valid law enforcement body would ever ask for payment over the phone. Residents are urged to be on guard and query any unsolicited calls asking for personal information or payments.

What To Do If Targeted

If you ever find yourself on the receiving end of such a call or email, the first course of action is hanging up immediately and reporting the incident to local authorities. The post adds that if you suspect you’ve fallen victim to the jury duty scam or any other fraudulent scheme, it’s crucial to file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.