The Suffolk County Police Department is warning the public about a scam involving callers who claim to be law enforcement, demand money and threaten arrest.
The department said that recently, two residents had received calls from people pretending to be the SCPD chief of police and claiming that the resident has an arrest warrant or is in danger of having one. The caller then insists that the resident make a payment to avoid getting arrested.
Both victims sent funds in excess of $1,000 via payment apps and money
wiring services. Both victims report the scammers called from what appeared to be legitimate police department phone numbers.
Scammers often use spoofing apps and other technology to falsely represent the numbers they are calling from.
Police will never demand money in lieu of arrest or other consequence.
If you believe you have been the victim of this or any other scam, contact police.