Authorities in Monmouth County, New Jersey, are alerting residents to a highly sophisticated phone scam that has been defrauding unsuspecting individuals of large sums of money. The scammers, posing as officers from the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department, are using advanced techniques to deceive even the most skeptical victims.
The fraudulent scheme involves scammers electronically spoofing the Sheriff’s Department’s official phone number, making it appear as though the calls are legitimate. Victims are told that there is a warrant out for their arrest, and to avoid being taken into custody, they must pay a fee immediately.
“They are also leaving callback numbers that lead to a fake voicemail that mimics the Sheriff’s Office automated phone system,” the Middletown Police Department said in a public email alert on Thursday.
The Tinton Falls Police Department also issued a warning earlier in the day, stating, “Scam calls are occurring where the caller is posing as a Monmouth County Sheriff’s officer asking for money. The Sheriff’s Office is aware of this ongoing scam.”
In response to the scam, law enforcement officials are urging residents to be vigilant. If anyone receives such a call, they are advised to hang up immediately and contact their local police department or the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office at 732-431-6400.
Middletown Police emphasized that legitimate law enforcement agencies will never request or accept payment for bail over the phone, in public, or through unconventional methods such as gift cards, Apple Pay, or cryptocurrency. “Payments for bail can only be made in person at a court, or at a police department if the court is closed,” their statement clarified.
Additionally, it is important to note that under New Jersey law, payments cannot be made to satisfy warrants for arrest. This scam, unfortunately, is not new to the region; similar fraudulent activities have been reported in neighboring Ocean County for years.
The tactics used in this scam highlight the increasing sophistication of phone fraudsters, who are continuously adapting their methods to exploit unsuspecting individuals. By impersonating real officers and using technology to make their calls appear legitimate, these criminals are capitalizing on the fear and confusion of their targets.
Residents are encouraged to share this information with family, friends, and neighbors to prevent further victimization. Law enforcement continues to investigate the matter, and efforts are underway to track down those responsible for this deceptive operation.
As this scam continues to unfold, authorities are reminding the public to remain cautious when receiving unsolicited phone calls, particularly those involving financial demands. The best defense against such scams is awareness and skepticism—always verify the legitimacy of any such claims directly with official sources.
