Special to Lake Okeechobee News
The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about phone scams in which criminals impersonate law enforcement officers in an attempt to extort money.
In a recent incident, a local woman reported receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be with the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office.
The caller told her she had a federal warrant for failure to appear in court and needed to take immediate action to avoid arrest. To appear legitimate, the caller provided fake case numbers that did not belong to the Sheriff’s Office.
The caller then instructed the victim to send money through a Bitcoin or cryptocurrency machine at a local gas station. The victim became suspicious before sending any money and contacted law enforcement.
The Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that law enforcement agencies will never demand payment over the phone, request money through Bitcoin machines, gift cards, wire transfers, or prepaid cards, or threaten immediate arrest without proper legal process. Official court matters are handled through written notices and in-person proceedings.
Residents who receive calls like this are encouraged to hang up immediately and contact the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office directly using a known phone number. Anyone who believes they have been targeted or victimized by a scam should report it so deputies can help prevent others from becoming victims
