Scammer Identifying Himself as A Pinellas County Sheriff’s Lieutenant (24-085)

PINELLAS COUNTY—The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging the public to be on alert to recent phone scams. The suspect is calling residents and identifying themself as a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office employee.  

According to detectives, a suspect is calling citizens and identifying himself as “Lieutenant James Perry.” After identifying themselves as a fictitious Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office employee, the suspect informed the citizens that they had outstanding warrants due to missing a court date.

The suspect is blocking their phone number and requesting the citizen call (656) 650-1745. Multiple incidents recently have occurred in which 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.