CPSO Sheriff Warns of Telephone Scam

Lake Charles, La – Sheriff Tony Mancuso is warning area residents of a scam that has recently surfaced in our area. 

Victims report receiving a phone call stating a warrant has been issued for their arrest due to failure to report for a federal jury summons.  The caller, who uses the name of a current or former Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy, advises the victim they have three options: (1) turn themselves in at CPSO to be booked in and released after paying fees (2) pay the $900 fee for the citation by using a Bitcoin kiosk (3) hang up the phone and someone from CPSO will be at their home to arrest them. 

THIS IS A SCAM!  Sheriff Mancuso wants residents to know that the majority of the time a valid arrest warrant is served in person by law enforcement officials; however, in some circumstances a law enforcement official may call you if you have a warrant but under no circumstance will that officer ever ask for money or any form of payment.