Border Patrol and the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is not working together to defraud citizens. If you receive any calls from law enforcement requesting a payment over the phone, hang up.

On July 12th at 8:50 p.m. Deputy K.L. Steffenhagen responded to a North Stafford subdivision for a report of a fraud. The resident advised she received a call from someone claiming to be Border Patrol. The fake Border Patrol Agent advised the resident she had warrants out for her arrest. The only way to avoid these warrants would be to speak to a detective with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.

The resident then received a call from “Officer Hudson” who advised he could put a “two-hour hold” on her warrants if she cooperated. The officer convinced the resident to convert her money to bitcoin and provide details to that account so he could access it. When the resident checked on her bitcoin account, she could not access it. Deputy Steffenhagen confirmed with the resident she was not wanted as the fake officers mentioned.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, or Border Patrol, will never request money, bit coins, or gift cards over the phone. “Officer Hudson” is not a member of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office. If you are ever unsure if you are being contacted by a scammer or the Sheriff’s Office, you can always directly call the Sheriff’s Office to confirm.