Scammer Targeting Family Members of Pinellas County Jail Inmates (25-013)

PINELLAS COUNTY—The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging the public to be on alert for recent phone scams.

According to detectives, the suspect calls citizens and identifies himself as “Captain Brian Browne.” He then tells the citizens that if they send him money, he will be able to get their family members released from jail and sent to a treatment program at Turning Point.

The suspect is requesting a callback to 727-314-3420 to arrange the transaction. The Clearwater Police Department has also received similar reports of this occurring in their jurisdiction.

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.