Morgan County, Ala. – A local family is alerting neighbors after receiving a phone call from an individual claiming to be a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer. The caller demanded a $3,000 payment within 48 hours, threatening that the family’s father would be taken into custody if the money was not sent via Zelle or Cash App.

Family records the fraudulent call

Emma Vargas said her father received a text that a warrant had been issued against him and that ICE would detain him unless the family paid the requested amount. The family recorded the conversation, during which the caller could not explain why a warrant existed. After transferring the call to another person, the same demand was repeated, and the caller warned that the father would be removed if payment was not made.

Police confirm it’s a scam

Vargas contacted the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, and Public Information Officer Mike Swafford confirmed the message was a scam. He explained that legitimate law‑enforcement agencies never text or call individuals to demand money, gift cards, or other forms of payment to avoid arrest.

“Scammers rely on fear to pressure people into acting before they have time to think clearly,” Swafford said. “When someone believes they may be arrested or have a warrant, it can become harder to think rationally.”

Scams are a recurring problem

The sheriff’s office notes that phone scams are reported almost every week in Morgan County. Last year, a resident lost $800,000 to a similar fraud scheme. Swafford advises residents to be especially cautious when an unexpected call or message comes from an agency they have never dealt with before.

His recommended steps are simple: hang up, delete the message, and ignore any demand for payment. He also encourages anyone who receives a suspicious call or text to report it to local law‑enforcement immediately.

Family hopes to protect others

Vargas said the family decided to speak publicly to help other families avoid losing money to similar threats. “We want to keep other families from being taken advantage of,” she said.

Residents are reminded that ICE and other federal agencies will never ask for money over the phone or through electronic payment apps. If you receive a call or text that seems suspicious, follow the sheriff’s advice and contact the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office at (256) 555‑1234.

Original reporting: WAFF 48 Huntsville (news) — read the source article.