Portland, Ore. – The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) issued a public warning on Tuesday after a 79‑year‑old resident was defrauded of $40,000 by callers claiming to be police officers. The victim’s daughter reported that her father had received a call from someone identifying himself as “Lieutenant White” of the MCSO, who told the senior citizen he had missed jury duty and needed to pay a fine immediately to avoid arrest.
How the scam unfolded
According to MCSO investigators, the caller instructed the man to withdraw two separate sums of $20,000 and deposit the cash into a convenience‑store bitcoin machine. The victim complied, believing the request came from a legitimate law‑enforcement source. When the man later returned home, a responding deputy intercepted a call between the senior citizen and the suspected scammer; the scammer hung up as soon as the deputy joined the conversation.
Warning signs and official response
Detective Tamari Johnson emphasized that scammers rely on panic and secrecy to succeed. “They want people to panic and act before they know what has happened,” she said. The MCSO reminded the public that genuine officers will never demand payment over the phone to resolve a warrant, avoid arrest, or settle any criminal matter.
Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez echoed the warning, urging anyone who encounters similar calls to report them promptly. “We know these cases can be challenging to investigate, but if a scammer can be identified – we will prosecute,” Vasquez said.
Protecting seniors and the broader community
Law‑enforcement officials recommend the following safeguards:
- Never discuss a legal issue with anyone other than a verified officer.
- Never send money, especially via cash, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, in response to a phone call.
- Verify the identity of any officer by calling the official department number before complying with any request.
- Report suspicious calls to the MCSO or the district attorney’s office immediately.
Scammers often target older adults, who may be more trusting of authority figures. Community groups and senior centers are encouraged to share these warnings and educate their members about the tactics used by fraudsters.
What to do if you’ve been targeted
If you or a loved one has been contacted by someone claiming to be a law‑enforcement officer and asked for money, contact the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office at (503) 823‑5000 or file a report online through the county’s official website. Prompt reporting can help authorities track patterns, identify perpetrators, and prevent further losses.
The MCSO continues to investigate the incident and is working with financial institutions to trace the bitcoin transactions. While the exact identity of the scammer remains unknown, officials remain confident that continued vigilance and community cooperation will reduce the likelihood of similar schemes succeeding in the future.
Original reporting: KPTV FOX 12 Portland (news) — read the source article.
