Full Notification

The South Brunswick Police Department recently received a report of an arrest scam, during which this agency’s phone number was “spoofed.”

The scammer initially identified himself as a member of the United States Border Patrol. He told the victim that an arrest warrant would be generated unless he sent them payment. The victim said the caller was very believable, and even provided personal identifying information on the victim, such as his Social Security number and driver’s license number.

The victim proceeded to withdraw funds, and the caller told him to convert the cash to bitcoin and provide him the QR codes and receipts as proof. The victim did as instructed.

The victim stated that he then received a call that his caller ID identified as being from the South Brunswick Police Department’s non-emergency phone number. The caller stated he was the Chief of Police, and that officers were being sent to the victim’s house to arrest him. This was apparently done to try to continue the scam. The caller asked for information on the victim’s finances. At that time, the victim contacted the South Brunswick Police Department directly and learned that he was the victim of a scam.

The South Brunswick Police Department wants to make sure our residents do not fall for this scam.

The South Brunswick Police Department will never call an individual to inform them about a police investigation or an arrest warrant and demand payment be made, nor will a federal agency like the US Border Patrol. If you have a real warrant, police will not call you on the phone, they will knock on your door, and they certainly will not demand money, gift cards, money transfers, or cryptocurrency.
 
The South Brunswick Police Department would like to offer a few ways to spot scammers in the act:
 

• Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers manipulate caller ID to look like the call is coming from an official government number. Look up the agency’s number yourself, if you’re concerned, and give them a call. Don’t use the number in caller ID.
• Government agencies won’t call, text, or email you out of the blue to demand payment right away.
• A legitimate agency will never tell you to pay with gift cards, money transfers, or cryptocurrency.
• Never share personal information with anyone who contacts you. If you’re worried, look up the government agency’s information yourself to check with them.

• The scammer says you have won a sweepstakes or lottery but you must send money to collect.
• The scammer says your assets are frozen until you pay a fake debt, fine, or lien.
• The scammer says they will help you recover money you already lost in a scam.
• The scammer says they are collecting back taxes or immigration fees.
• The scammer threatens to fine you, put you in prison, or take your property unless you pay.
• The scammer says they are protecting you from being scammed.
• The scammer tells you to take money out of your bank account, tells you to wire money, get a gift card, or buy cryptocurrency.
• The scammer demands secrecy, tells you to act right away, and says you are about to lose money.