Natchitoches Parish Sheriff High Tech Crime Unit

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NPSO: Ankle Monitoring Scam Targeting Residents

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office (NPSO) are warning the public about an ongoing scam in which individuals are falsely claiming to be law enforcement officials, court personnel, or electronic monitoring agents in an attempt to defraud residents.

Scammers are using information of relatives in jail in an effort to scam family members to send money.

According to reports, scammers are contacting citizens by phone, text message, and email claiming the recipient is required to make immediate payments related to court-ordered ankle monitoring devices. In some cases, the suspects are advising individuals that they must “activate,” “update,” or “clear fees” associated with a GPS ankle monitor, or face arrest or additional legal action.

The scammers often attempt to create urgency and fear, pressuring victims to make immediate payments using gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or mobile payment apps. Some calls may even appear legitimate due to caller ID spoofing that mimics official government or law enforcement phone numbers.

Sheriff Wright emphasized that neither the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office nor any legitimate court authority will demand payment over the phone or request payment through gift cards, crypto, or other untraceable methods.

Important Public Safety Tips

Residents are urged to remain vigilant and follow these guidelines:

Do not provide personal or financial information to unsolicited callers or messages
Do not make payments via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps based on phone demands
Hang up immediately if pressured or threatened with arrest
Verify any claims directly by contacting the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office using an official number
Be aware that caller ID can be spoofed to appear as a legitimate agency
Report suspicious calls or messages to law enforcement immediately
Report Suspicious Activity

Anyone who believes they may have been contacted by scammers or has information regarding this scam is encouraged to contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-357-7851.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office continues to encourage citizens to stay alert and help spread awareness to prevent others from becoming victims of fraud.

SCAM ALERT: Fraudsters Targeting Residents with Fake “Pre-Trial” Payment Demands Using Relative/or Friends Names To Get Them Out of Jail

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office is notifying the public of a scam targeting residents through phone calls, text messages, emails, and social media messages claiming they must send money to avoid arrest, clear a warrant, get a relative out of jail, satisfy a court obligation, or participate in a so-called "pre-trial" program.

The fraudster may use the name of a relative needing to get out of jail with the condition of bond being the use of an ankle monitor system.

Scammers often impersonate law enforcement officers, court officials, attorneys, or government agencies and may use spoofed phone numbers that appear legitimate. Victims are instructed to immediately send money through gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, payment apps, or other electronic payment methods.

Residents should be aware:

* The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office does not call individuals demanding money to avoid arrest or resolve legal matters.
* Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not accept payments through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer payment apps.
* Scammers frequently use threats, intimidation, and urgency to pressure victims into making quick decisions.
* Caller ID information can be manipulated and should not be considered proof of legitimacy.
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If you receive a suspicious call, text, email, or message:
* Do not provide personal or financial information.
* Do not send money.
* Hang up immediately and independently verify the information by contacting the agency directly using a known phone number.
* Report the incident to your local law enforcement agency.
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Anyone who believes they may have been targeted or victimized by this scam is encouraged to contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office at 318-357-7851.

The NPSO High Tech Crime Unit and other law enforcement partners are investigating these incidents.

Two cases have been reported in Natchitoches Parish where victims sent money.

Sheriff Stuart Wright reminds citizens to remain vigilant and discuss these scams with family members, especially senior citizens who are often targeted by fraudsters. When in doubt, hang up, verify, and never send money to unsolicited callers.