Area residents are being alerted about a telephone scam where a person is posing as a lieutenant with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies have been notified about two incidents this week. Authorities suspect there could be many more not reported.
An individual claiming to be Lt. Mike Davenport with the Warrants and Citation Division called two people this week claiming a bench warrant had been issued for their arrest. To avoid being arrested, the man who said he was Lt. Davenport demanded money.
Instead of asking for pre-paid debit or credit cards, the caller in this scam asks for a money order and then says they will meet the person in Smithfield or another location to receive payment.
If they fail to pay they will be arrested, the caller claims.
Sheriff Lt. A.R. Benson said there is no one employed with the agency by the name of Mike Davenport. The caller does however sound authoritative and convincing.
”If a person calls and claims to be a law enforcement officer and demands money for a warrant it is 100 percent a scam,” according to Sheriff’s Captain Jeff Caldwell.
In both cases, the victims did not hand over any money.
Anyone who may have been a victim of the bench warrant scam or has any concerns is asked to contact the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office at 919-989-5000.
