Scam Caller Posing As Deputy Costs Clayton Couple Thousands
CLAYTON — A Clayton couple lost $11,700 after falling victim to a jury duty scam involving a caller impersonating a Johnston County sheriff’s deputy.
The incident was reported after the victims, both in their 40s, received a phone call claiming they had missed jury duty and that arrest warrants had been issued.
According to authorities, the caller told the couple they could avoid criminal charges by making electronic payments to have the warrants withdrawn.
Believing the call was legitimate, the victims withdrew $5,000 from their bank and deposited the money into a Bitcoin machine. Later the same day, they withdrew an additional $6,700 and made another cryptocurrency deposit.
When they returned to their bank for additional funds, a teller questioned the multiple withdrawals, prompting the couple to realize they had been scammed. Law enforcement was then notified.
Authorities said similar jury duty scams have been reported in Johnston County in recent years, with scammers often posing as law enforcement or court officials and demanding payment through cryptocurrency machines or other non-traceable methods.
Officials remind residents that law enforcement agencies do not request payments over the phone or demand cryptocurrency to resolve legal matters.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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From scams like this to the results of local elections, it has never been clearer that we are a proud and uneducated population.
When are folks gonna get smarter about things such as this???
No legit government organization will call you or text you and require bitcoin or visa gift cards. Stay vigilant. Call the court or sheriffs office directly and save your money and hopefully these scammers will stop. I have had 4 texts demanding I pay for traffic fines or I will be arrested In 24 hours! That was last week and I’m not in jail! Don’t respond, click any links or QR codes! Don’t feed these criminals. I’m not judging I just hate to see hard working people loose money to these scams!
Ughhhhh, if bitcoin is involved AT ALL it’s a scam!!!!
Hate to say it but check out everything in detail bf you pay money out. I don’t understand ppl.
They must not read JoCoReport.
As soon as they say bitcoin machine, you know it’s a scam.
Stupid is as Stupid does …. it’s not like it’s not ALL OVER THE TV & INTERNET!!!! Law enforcement will NOT call you they will go looking you!