Dane County, WI – Authorities are warning residents to stay alert after a Windsor woman was allegedly scammed out of $15,000 by someone posing as a Dane County Sheriff’s Office captain earlier this week.
According to the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, the victim received a phone call Tuesday morning from a man claiming to be Captain Ronald Towers. The caller told her she had missed jury duty and that a warrant had been issued for her arrest unless she immediately complied with instructions.
The caller allegedly told the woman she needed to report to a “station” in person and bring $15,000 to cover her bond. He also stressed that the situation was confidential and warned her not to speak with anyone else until the matter was resolved.
While withdrawing money from her bank, the victim reportedly remained on the phone with the scammer and received multiple text messages that appeared to include official court documents. She was then instructed to deposit the funds into a Bitcoin kiosk, a tactic law enforcement says is increasingly common in financial scams.
After the transaction was completed, the scammer allegedly attempted to pressure the woman into sending additional money, prompting her to end the call. The incident is now under investigation.
Telephone scams involving callers pretending to be law enforcement have been reported across Wisconsin and the Midwest for several years. The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that deputies will never request money, bond payments, or fines over the phone, by email, or via cryptocurrency.
“These scammers prey on fear and trust, and the emotional impact can last much longer than the financial loss,” Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said in a statement.
Residents who receive similar calls are urged to hang up immediately and contact their local law enforcement agency directly. Active warrants can also be verified through the Dane County Sheriff’s Office website.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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