Murfreesboro, TN – A Rutherford County man narrowly avoided losing $13,000 today after two scammers posing as sheriff’s supervisors allegedly attempted to convince him he faced arrest for missing federal jury duty.
According to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, the callers told the man he had citations for failure to appear and contempt of court. The scammers allegedly ordered him to remain on the phone and claimed he was under a gag order preventing him from contacting anyone for help.
Deputies said the callers directed the man to immediately withdraw $13,000 from his bank and deposit the cash into a kiosk they described as a bail-payment system. They told him he would receive the money back within 30 to 90 days—another tactic authorities say is commonly used in high-pressure fraud schemes.
The man, who described himself as terrified, stayed on the phone as instructed but managed to quietly text his wife. After she warned him the situation sounded like a scam, he hung up and contacted the Sheriff’s Office before any money was lost.
Deputies emphasized that law enforcement agencies do not call residents to demand payments for missed jury duty or issue gag orders over the phone. Anyone wanted for a crime would be notified in person, not through a threatening financial demand.
The Sheriff’s Office is urging residents across Rutherford County, Middle Tennessee, and the Nashville metro area to stay alert as similar schemes continue to circulate statewide.
Officials advise residents who receive suspicious calls to hang up immediately, avoid sending money, and report the incident to local law enforcement.
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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