Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a scam

MONTICELLO, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a scam in which callers are falsely claiming to represent the agency and threatening arrest unless money is paid.

Sheriff Tim Catron said a local resident reported receiving a phone call Friday, Jan. 30, in which the caller claimed to be with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and said they had a federal arrest warrant issued by a U.S. District Court.

According to the sheriff, the caller demanded a $9,800 bond payment, claiming the warrant would be dismissed and the individual would not be arrested if the money was paid.

Catron emphasized that the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office does not collect money over the phone or accept payment to avoid arrest, and said the call was a scam.

Authorities warned that scammers may send paperwork by text message that appears legitimate, but said the documents are fraudulent.

Residents who receive similar calls are urged not to send money and to report the incident to law enforcement.