Scammer poses as law enforcement, demands money

A scammer targeting area residents is claiming to be local law enforcement and even using the names of real deputies.

Clark County Chief Civil Deputy Steve Shea said that he got a call Monday morning from someone wanting to turn themselves in.

Shea said the caller had received a phone call from someone claiming to be Shea. During the call, the scammer told the victim that the victim needed to send money to take care of a civil citation, and the scammer provided a phone number to call to make the payment.

Shea said that the same thing happened to Chief Criminal Deputy John Chapman on Monday morning when a couple arrived at the sheriff’s office ready to settle the apparent warrant. Shea said he wouldn’t be surprised if the names of more deputies and officers were being used.

To make matters more confusing, the incoming call shows up as the sheriff’s office administration number, Shea said.

But, Shea said, deputies will never ask you for money.

“If someone’s calling you, telling you they’re a police officer and they want money, it’s a scam,” he said.