PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a new phone scam in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement to extort money.

In a recent incident, a local resident received a call from someone claiming to be Sheriff King. The caller falsely accused the citizen of having warrants for their arrest due to “Failing to Appear” for jury duty. The scammer attempted to pressure the victim into withdrawing money, staying on the phone the entire time to maintain control of the situation.

This scam escalated when the fraudster sent the resident a fake warrant and a barcode linked to a bitcoin account. The caller instructed the victim to deposit money at a kiosk while being monitored via CCTV. The scam also involved a second individual, who pretended to confirm the legitimacy of the warrant and warned the victim not to contact the Sheriff’s Office.

Fortunately, the resident became suspicious and informed the caller that they would verify the warrant directly with the Sheriff’s Office. At this point, the scammer hung up.

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that this is a scam. Law enforcement agencies do not call individuals to demand money or threaten arrest over the phone.

If you receive a similar call:

• Hang up immediately.
• Do not provide any personal or financial information.
• Contact the Sheriff’s Office directly at (360) 417-2459 to verify any claims.