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The Maui News
A recent extortion scam incident involving spoofed numbers has prompted the Hawaii Department of Public Safety Sheriff Division to put out a warning.
In recent days, several people have called the Sheriff Division to report an individual claiming to be a deputy sheriff, or an employee with the Hawaii District Attorney's Office and in some cases, a Governor's Office employee, according to a news release.
The Public Safety Department said that the scammer has been claiming that there is an outstanding arrest warrant and instructs them to make a payment via gift cards or a money sharing phone app to clear the warrant.
The phone number is manipulated so that it appears the call is coming from the Sheriff Division or the Governor's Office, according to the news release.
In several of the cases, the scammer used the fictitious name Jessica Mendoza.
The department said that the Sheriff's and Governor's Office do not call, text, or email people asking for personal information or to solicit payment electronically or by phone for arrest warrants.
Hawaii residents are also advised not to provide credit card numbers or other personal information to callers claiming to represent a law enforcement agency, but are not.
If you receive a call, text or email matching this scam, alert the Sheriff Division by calling (808) 586-1352.