The U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI are alerting the public about widespread phone scams involving people impersonating law enforcement officials. Scammers are posing as U.S. Marshals, court officers, and other government agents in attempts to defraud victims by demanding payments to avoid arrest.
These fraudulent callers claim that the victim has committed an offense such as identity theft or failing to report for jury duty. The scammers tell victims that they can withdraw cash and transfer it to the government to avoid arrest, and instruct them to purchase prepaid debit or gift cards or deposit money into Bitcoin ATMs to “satisfy” alleged fines.
