JOHNSTON COUNTY – The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) is alerting citizens of a telephone scam where someone is impersonating a deputy sheriff with their agency.
Multiple people alerted the sheriff’s office this afternoon (Thursday) of the scam. An unknown individual has been calling the public claiming to be Johnston County Deputy Kiefer. They claim there is a warrant for their arrest and not to discuss it with anyone.
The caller demands money be sent through electronic payment to retract the warrant, or they will be arrested. In most cases, they request $500 payment.
There is a Deputy Kiefer with the department and the scammer is using the officer’s real name. During the phone call, the scammer also uses the name of a current Johnston County judge they claim signed the arrest warrant.
The scammer “spoofs” the telephone number for the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office to make it appear on Caller ID they are calling from the department.
Most of the telephone calls today were made to Johnston County residents, however a doctor in South Carolina received a call from the scammer claiming their was a warrant for their arrest in Smithfield, NC unless they sent money.
Lt. Don Pate said the sheriff’s office will never request money from someone to avoid arrest. If you receive a phone call and you are unsure you are speaking with an actual officer, hang up the phone and call the sheriff’s office at 919-989-5000.
