by Scott Hurley, FOX 11 News
File photo. (WLUK image)
APPLETON (WLUK) — The Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office is not calling people demanding Bitcoin payments for outstanding warrants.
Deputies warned Wednesday of fraudulent phone calls to citizens. The caller ID is manipulated so the calls appear to be coming from the main sheriff’s office number.
Those receiving the calls have reported that the caller demands money for a non-appearance for jury duty. The caller requires the recipient to stay on the phone to receive instructions on how to send Bitcoin. In some cases, the caller tells the victim to drive to the sheriff’s office parking lot to meet with an officer, giving the caller a veneer of legitimacy and intimidating the victim.
The sheriff’s office says anyone receiving such a call should hang up the phone and not send any money to the caller.
Victims are asked to contact Sgt. Megan Braun at (920) 832-5278 or Sgt. Mike Fitzpatrick at (920) 832-5279.
