Crime & Safety
Washington County, MD Scam Alert: Fake Warrant Calls Target Residents
Hagerstown, MD – Maryland residents are being warned about a phone scam involving criminals impersonating sheriff's deputies and threatening people with arrest unless they immediately send money. Auth
By Natalie Rhodes · 2026-11-02T20:00:45.340Z
Hagerstown, MD – Maryland residents are being warned about a phone scam involving criminals impersonating sheriff's deputies and threatening people with arrest unless they immediately send money. Authorities say the callers are using the names of real law enforcement officers to make their demands appear legitimate.
According to the Washington County Sheriff 's Office, the agency issued a public warning Oct. 8 after receiving reports of scammers posing as department personnel to collect money from community members.
The fraudulent callers allegedly claim residents have outstanding arrest warrants or failed to appear for jury duty.
Investigators specifically warned that scammers have been using the name of Lt. Monn , an actual member of the Sheriff's Office, to convince potential victims that the calls are legitimate.
Authorities emphasized that Lt. Monn is not making these calls.
The scammers reportedly threaten immediate arrest unless victims make payments through methods including gift cards, cryptocurrency, Bitcoin ATMs, wire transfers or mobile payment services such as Zelle, Cash App and Venmo.
The Sheriff's Office stressed that legitimate law enforcement officers will not telephone residents demanding money to avoid arrest.
Officials also warned that scammers can manipulate caller ID information, making fraudulent calls appear to originate from an actual law enforcement telephone number.
In some cases, callers may know personal details about their targets or use the name of a real officer to establish credibility.
Residents receiving suspicious calls are urged to hang up immediately , avoid sharing personal or financial information and never send money to someone threatening arrest over the telephone.
Authorities also advise against calling the suspicious number back.
Anyone wishing to verify a claim should independently contact the agency involved using a trusted, publicly listed telephone number.
Although the warning originated in Washington County in western Maryland, the tactics described can be used against residents elsewhere.
The Sheriff's Office encourages community members to share the warning with friends and family, particularly those who may be vulnerable to financial scams.