Winnebago County, WI – Authorities are warning residents about a growing scam in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officers and demand payments over the phone.
According to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, callers falsely claim the victim has an outstanding warrant or that a family member is in jail. The scammer then pressures the victim to make an immediate payment, often through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or Bitcoin kiosks.
Officials said scammers can be highly convincing, sometimes offering fake documentation or transferring the call to another impersonator posing as a “verifying officer.” In at least one recent case, the fraudsters used the name of a real officer, Lt. Aaron Cook, who is not involved.
The Sheriff’s Office stressed that no legitimate law enforcement agency will ever request payment by phone or demand gift cards or cryptocurrency. Residents are urged not to call back phone numbers provided by scammers. Instead, anyone receiving suspicious calls should hang up, verify information with a trusted friend or relative, and contact the Sheriff’s Office directly if in doubt.
Authorities are encouraging residents to remain alert and not be fooled by badges or official-sounding claims.
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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