Murfreesboro, Tennessee — A Rutherford County resident lost nearly $40,000 after scammers allegedly posed as deputies and demanded Bitcoin payments to avoid arrest.
According to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, sophisticated scammers contacted the resident Wednesday while spoofing the sheriff’s office phone number and claiming the man faced immediate arrest unless he paid fines through Bitcoin ATMs.
Investigators said the victim initially deposited about $7,500, believing the payment would resolve the issue. The scammers then allegedly told him another charge had been added, prompting additional payments.
Authorities say the suspects continued escalating the situation. At one point, they claimed a judge had added another charge and later instructed the victim to deposit an additional $13,000, saying the earlier payment had been entered incorrectly.
When the man said he didn’t have the money, deputies said the callers threatened that his wife could face charges as an accessory if she learned about the situation. The scammers also allegedly posed as District Attorney Jennings Jones, telling the victim he needed to pay $21,000 more or face arrest and up to 14 days in jail.
The man eventually became suspicious, contacted the district attorney’s office, and realized the calls were fraudulent. He then notified the sheriff’s office.
Authorities reported two additional recent attempts involving callers impersonating law enforcement. In one case, a woman recognized the scam and reported it. In another, a suspect allegedly requested a victim’s Social Security number and date of birth before demanding $1,461 through Apple Pay.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that deputies never call residents demanding money to avoid arrest.
Officials advise anyone receiving similar calls to hang up immediately and contact local law enforcement directly.
Phone-based scams increasingly target commuters, students, and young workers who may feel pressured by urgent legal threats.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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