The Clark County Sheriff’s Office continues to receive reports from citizens in the county who have said they have been contacted by someone involved in an ongoing phone scam.
In the scam, the caller claims to be a sergeant, detective or deputy with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, stated a news release. The caller uses the names of employees and their assigned PSN, or badge number. They then inform the victim there is a warrant for their arrest, which will be served if the victim does not immediately pay outstanding fines and then arranges for payment from the victim of the scam.
“The Clark County Sheriff's Office will never contact a resident to demand payment of fines or to quash a warrant, nor will the sheriff's office accept any such payment directly,” stated the release. “If you receive a call of this nature, please do not provide any form of payment or agree to meet with the caller. Hang up and call 9-1-1 immediately.”
In a recent incident, which occurred on the evening of Jan. 17, a victim reportedly spent over five hours on the phone with a person claiming to be a CCSO detective sergeant before ultimately sending the caller over $9,000 through various electronic funds transfers.
During the course of the call, the victim reported having expressed skepticism of the caller's legitimacy, stated the release. The caller then instructed the victim to visit the Clark County Sheriff's Office website and note the sheriff's office’s primary telephone number. The caller then hung-up and called the victim using that phone number which also included the title “Clark County Corrections,” stated the release.
The sheriff’s office said it’s possible to “clone” a telephone number through a prepaid, internet-based service provider.
“The sheriff's office is aware of numerous similar reports and this case is being actively investigated,” stated the release.
