Scammers request money for ankle monitors for freedom from jail, receiving almost $2,500

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Lincoln Police Department announced a reoccurring cases of jail release fraud that happened on Aug. 2 and Aug. 5.

The first scammer called the family member of a recently released individual. They said the person who had been arrested should not have been released, claiming it was a mistake. The scammer then said they needed to pay $485 for an ankle monitor or the released individual would have a warrant out for their arrest. The victim paid $200 with a credit card.

The second scammer called a family member of a person currently in jail. They said if the family member paid $2,000 for an ankle monitor the individual would be released. The victim paid sent $1,962 with money orders.

Both victims arrived at the jail to pick up the ankle monitors and realized they had gotten scammed.