Texas Law Enforcement Warns Residents about Bitcoin Scam Impersonating Officers

Law enforcement agencies in East Texas are sounding the alarm about a series of scams targeting residents, where individuals impersonate officers and demand Bitcoin payments. The scammers claim that victims have missed jury duty or have outstanding warrants, but officials emphasize that no legitimate officer will ask for immediate payment via cryptocurrency ATMs.

The Lufkin Police Department has reported instances of scammers posing as Angelina County Sheriff's Office deputies, calling residents to request Bitcoin payments. Officials stress that these calls are not legitimate and should be ignored. Detectives were able to recover over $10,000 from a Bitcoin ATM after residents reported making payments to the sheriff's office.

A local woman was also able to avoid falling victim to the scam when she arrived at the sheriff's office with cash in hand but couldn't figure out how to use the Bitcoin ATM. The Diboll Police Department has also warned of similar scams, where scammers ask for gift cards and claim victims are under a gag order.

Law enforcement agencies urge residents to be cautious and not fall victim to these scams. They recommend verifying the authenticity of calls by contacting local police departments or sheriff's offices directly. If a call is suspected to be a scam, hang up immediately and report it to authorities. Officials also emphasize that no legitimate officer will ask for immediate payment via cryptocurrency ATMs.