Jury Duty Scam Targeting Leesburg Residents

Phone scams are everywhere right now. Every time one is revealed as a fraud, new ones pop up. Best not to trust anyone looking for money over the phone. -Greg

Release, Leesburg Police Department:

In the past two days, the Leesburg Police Department has fielded four complaints regarding a jury duty scam. In each case, the suspect has identified himself as a law enforcement officer and made references to the victim not appearing for jury duty and that there was a warrant out for their arrest. 

In lieu of being arrested, the suspect offers the victim the opportunity to settle the issue by obtaining an electronic MoneyPak order in the amount of several hundred dollars from a local pharmacy or department store and meet them at the Courthouse where the exchange would take place and the issue settled. The suspect will continue to pressure the victim by threatening to send officers to their house immediately to arrest them if they do not cooperate. The suspect also will demand that the victim remain in constant contact with them to ensure the MoneyPak is obtained. Once the victim confirms the purchase of the MoneyPak, the suspect gets the victim to give him the serial number from the MoneyPak so that the funds can be electronically transferred unbeknownst to the victim. Once that occurs, all communication with the suspect ceases.

Unfortunately these types of scams, as well as various others, occur far too often and people fall victim to scam artists looking to turn a quick profit by playing on the fears of victims by implying that they or one of their loved ones is in some sort of trouble.

The Leesburg police Department would like to remind citizens to be wary of that “phishing” scams such as this prey on the fears of the unknowing public to attempt to intimidate people into cooperating. 

Phishers attempt to fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as passwords, serial numbers, and credit card details, by pretending to be a trustworthy person or business. Phishing is typically carried out using email or an instant message, although phone contact can be used.

These cases are currently being investigated by the Leesburg Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Section. The Police Department would like to remind citizens to contact their local law enforcement agency if you feel that are a victim of these types of schemes.