24-013 Scammer Identifying Himself As A Pinellas County Sheriff’s Captain And Sergeant In An Attempt To Obtain Money

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
-Patrol Operations Bureau

PINELLAS COUNTY – The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging the public to be on alert to recent phone scams occurring in Pinellas County. The suspects are calling residents in Pinellas County and identifying themselves as a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office employee.  

According to deputies, a suspect called citizens and identified himself as “Captain Matthews or Sergeant Adler.” After identifying themselves as a fictitious Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office employee, the suspect informed the citizen that they had outstanding warrants due to missing a court date. The suspect then instructs the citizen to obtain gift cards to pay the fine or send money via Zelle.

The suspect spoofed their phone number to appear as (727) 582-6200, the non-emergency phone number of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. They then requested the citizen to call (727) 310-0480. Multiple incidents recently have occurred where Pinellas County citizens have been targeted using this scam.

PLEASE NOTE: The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office will NEVER call citizens requesting money over the telephone and will never ask for banking information to wire money. We advise citizens not to give personal information or account information over the phone and call the Sheriff’s Office to report suspicious activity. 

If anyone has information on this scam or has become a victim, they are asked to call the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office at (727) 582-6200.