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This scam involves someone claiming to be from an agent DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) or other law enforcement agency who has a warrant for the intended victim’s arrest. The scammer then offers to allow the “defendant” to pay a fine and square things.
Unfortunately, it’s worked in some cases. People have followed instructions and wired money overseas that they’ll never get back, authorities say.
A Wyckoff resident who went to police headquarters to report receiving such a call got another man while he was there.
The caller said the DEA “was headed to his home with the warrant,” Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox said.
“It is important for residents to be wary of any supposed law enforcement agency that is attempting to conduct business via telephone,” Fox said.
It simply isn’t done that way, he said.
In fact, impersonating a federal agent is a serious crime that can land people in prison.
“ANY requests to transfer money should be viewed with heightened skepticism and scrutiny,” Fox said.
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