Darke County, OH – Residents in Darke County are being warned about a new phone scam involving fake jury duty calls allegedly from the Sheriff’s Office. Authorities say scammers are posing as “Lieutenant Michael Bell” and contacting locals, claiming there are issues related to jury duty.
According to the Darke County Sheriff’s Office, these calls are fraudulent. Officials stress that the Sheriff’s Office does not contact residents by phone regarding jury duty or request payment or personal information.
The department reported receiving numerous calls Friday morning from residents who were contacted by the scammers. Those who receive the calls are urged not to provide any personal details or money.
Sheriff’s officials said there is no need to report the scam unless a victim has already shared financial or personal information with the caller. Anyone who has done so should contact the Sheriff’s Office immediately to file a report.
Authorities remind residents to always verify suspicious calls by independently contacting the agency through official numbers listed on government websites — never through information provided in the scam call itself.
This type of fraud has circulated in other Ohio counties in recent years, often targeting older residents and using threats of arrest to pressure victims into sending money.
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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