‘Please don’t fall for it:’ Richmond Sheriff warns of scam costing victims thousands

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond City Sheriff Antionette Irving is sending a warning to residents about a scam that could cost them thousands of dollars.

“We’ve had an astronomical number of calls, just over the weekend,” said Irving. “Whether it’s $250, $500, $5,000 or whether it’s $9,000…it’s a lot of money.”

Irving said scammers are getting creative and using fear tactics to get people to give up their money, spoofing Richmond City Sheriff’s Office phone numbers and pretending to be deputies.

“They’ll tell you you received a warrant in the mail…you received a summons in the mail…. you received something to come from a witness….or to testify in court or you didn’t appear for a jury summons,” Irving said. “They’re going to give you an alternative to incarceration.”

The alternative is always one thing — money. The scammers will direct victims to go to a Walmart and a purchase a gift card, while staying on the phone. The scam continues with the scammer instructing the victim to read the numbers on the back of the card.

In an instant, the money is gone, and typically, so are the scammers.

“We’re really looking to find these people, but we’ve heard they can be anywhere, but with this digital age that we have now, it’s difficult,” Irving said. “It’s hard to take a charge out on someone when you don’t know who you’re taking a charge out on.”

Irving said it’s unclear exactly how many people have fallen victim to the scam, but she said that people have grown suspicious and reported the activity to her office.

“To prevent it from happening, call us,” Irving said. “Call our office and ask us and give us the information, but do not give the scammers any information.”

Irving added that authorities will never call you and ask for personal information or money.

“Please don’t fall for it, people work too hard for their money,” Irving said.

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