Victim Loses Thousands to SCAMMERS
PLEASE Help Us Inform Potential Victims by Talking with Your Neighbors, Coworkers, Churches, Family, Friends, or Others about SCAMS
Yesterday, we learned of a person who lost over $4,000 to a criminal scammer posing as a member of law enforcement. They faked (spoofed) the Sheriff’s Office’s main phone number and were well-rehearsed in their story and information.
PLEASE help us protect our community by passing this SCAM information on to everyone you know.
Remember, as a government agency, all our information is public. This means that criminals can research information on the internet for specific/factual information, making their rehearsed stories believable in any community.
Stop, think, and take the time to look up the law enforcement agency’s contact information personally. Then, tell the person (scammer) you will call the number you verified directly to confirm. A scammer will threaten you with immediate arrest or higher fines; law enforcement or any reportable business, bank, or other entity WILL NOT.
You’re wrong if you think this can’t happen to you, someone you know or care about, or your neighbor. Federal Trade Commission data show that consumers reported losing more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, which represents a 25% increase over the prior year. (2024 Washington Losses Reported: 130,956,835)
On April 3, 2025, Spokane Valley Deputies took a scam/theft report where a victim lost over $4,000 to a predatory criminal pretending to be a member of law enforcement.
The victim explained that the scammer was rehearsed, and as the victim asked questions, the scammer provided correct answers or ones that seemed official.
The victim, unfamiliar with legal issues, had limited law enforcement contact and had never been in trouble, was shocked to be threatened with arrest for missing federal jury duty. Still trying to verify and think through this shocking, intimidating, and scary idea, the scammer continued to apply pressure, noting caller ID “showed” it was the Sheriff’s Office calling.
The criminal impersonator warned that if the victim hung up, told anyone, or didn’t do as instructed, it would result in further penalties such as immediate arrest, resulting in days in jail, higher fines, and even additional charges.
With the scammer sounding very official/credible and well-rehearsed, combined with the spoofed caller ID and a hectic day, the fear and confusion began to grow, overtaking the victim’s original skepticism and doubt.
Facing the thought of days in jail, the victim followed instructions, withdrew money, and deposited it into a Bitcoin machine while the scammer remained on the phone the entire time. Thankfully, a Good Samaritan noticed the victim and what was happening, became concerned, and asked what the victim was doing. Unfortunately, before the Good Samaritan intervened, the victim had already lost over $4,000.
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TIPS Locally to help identify SCAMS
- Any unsolicited call, email, or text that you’re not expecting should heighten your defenses.
- The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office/Spokane Valley Police or any other law enforcement agencies in our area, including federal agencies, will not call to collect fines/money for anything.
- If unsure, always verify by calling a number you looked up and verified, not one the scammer provides.
- Anyone demanding payment or personal information IMMEDIATELY, while threatening you with dire consequences if you don’t (arrest, cancellation of services, loss of money, etc.) is probably a scammer. No agency or business should have an issue with you verifying that you’re actually talking with one of their employees.
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This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Victim Loses Thousands to SCAMMERS" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7