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The fake calls come from scammers claiming to be a lieutenant with Westchester County Police who suggest that the victim may be in violation of "a new 'federal DNA mandate,'" according to police.
The caller will then tell the victim that a warrant has been issued for their arrest but that they can clear the warrant by buying five "MoneyPaks," or prepaid debit cards, from a local store and depositing $500 on each card, police said.
Then, the caller will stay on the phone with the victim and have them read off the numbers at the back of the card, before telling them to report to police headquarters to "have their DNA taken," according to authorities.
"This is a scam. Our Department would never handle any matter, or ever request any funds, in this manner," Westchester County Police said.
Police also said that the scam is similar to others that have involved prepaid cards such as MoneyPaks, and that scammers have also pretended to be from the Social Security Administration and Internal Revenue Service.
"Be suspicious of anyone asking you to resolve a government matter or overdue bill in this manner," police said.
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