Gage County Sheriff’s Office warns of scammers posing as law enforcement

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Gage County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that a Beatrice woman received a call from a scammer posing as a deputy. 

The scammer used the name of an actual investigator from the sheriff’s office.  He told the victim that she missed court and needed to pay $3,060 in order to stay out of jail. 

During the call, which lasted around 40 minutes, she texted the Gage County Victim Assistance coordinator who put her in contact with the real deputy.

“She did a merger call with me and the suspect who identified himself as me,” Sgt. Tim Hanson said. “So, I pretended to be this victim’s brother and within about ten seconds the suspect hung up.”

Hanson said the scammer had “spoofed” his phone number, so the call appeared to be coming from the sheriff’s office.

“Law impostor scams are devastatingly effective because intimidation tactics are far more effective behind a badge,” said Josh Planos with the Better Business Bureau.  

If you receive a similar call, the sheriff’s office said to hang up and contact local authorities.

“We will never ask for money,” Hanson said. “If there is a warrant, if we have a court order, somebody with a gun and a badge will show up.”