Full Notification

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office is strongly urging the public to be cautious and aware that criminals are continuing phone scams in the Santa Fe County area and are now posing as a Santa Fe County sheriff’s sergeant.

Late yesterday afternoon a Santa Fe County resident reported that she became a phone scam victim. The victim indicated that the caller posed as Santa Fe County Sheriff’s ‘Sergeant Delgado.’ The woman was so convinced by the caller, that they were law enforcement, so she made a $950 payment via PayPal to the criminal. She operated from fear and now her money is gone.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office warns the public to be aware about this phone scam, which is now using the name of a Santa Fe County sheriff’s sergeant. This particular scam caller represents to be Sheriff’s Sergeant Delgado. “Under no circumstance will any Sheriff’s deputy, detective or office personnel ask the public for money, in any amount, over the phone,” said Sheriff Robert A. Garcia.

Phone scammers have been targeting residents of Santa Fe County for the past month, demanding payment to settle an outstanding arrest warrant for failure to appear for a jury summons. These criminals will sound very legitimate and convincing, but under no circumstance whatsoever, will the Sheriff’s Office or any law enforcement agency, ask for or take payment over the phone for any official business.

The criminal callers instruct victims to get a prepaid money card and preload the card with a designated amount to pay the fine. Victims are told that if they pay the fine the arrest warrant will be dismissed. Many times these criminal’s access public records online to get general information related to an individual. They then create a storyline with the information they find online.

The sheriff’s office reminds the public not to become a victim and not to provide any personal information, bank information or provide payment over the phone to anyone if they are called by these criminals. Other common fronts posed by these criminals is that they work for the IRS. Do not become a victim by sending money to these scammers.

The public is encouraged to report this crime by calling (505) 428-3720. The Santa Fe County Sheriff encourages the public to be diligent and NOT TO BECOME A VICTIM.