The Anchorage office of the U.S. Marshals Service is warning Alaskans not to fall prey to phone scammers threatening to arrest their victims unless they're paid off -- after similar calls recently placed by people claiming to be Alaska state troopers.
Marshals Service spokeswoman Rochelle Liedike said in a statement Tuesday evening that several citizens, as well as Anchorage police, reported information about the scam. The caller, who identified himself as a deputy U.S. marshal, made at least three calls to people in Southcentral Alaska on Tuesday.
"This phony law enforcement officer informed the potential victims that warrants were being issued for them or their family member due to being absent from a federal grand jury they were previously summoned to appear before," Liedike wrote. "The potential victims were then informed they could avoid arrest by paying a fine by electronic fund transfer or cashier's check."
Liedike emphasized that the Marshals Service "does not seek payment of fines or fees via the telephone for individuals with outstanding arrest warrants."
On Wednesday, Liedike said there haven't been any reports so far of people actually giving the scammers money. While none of the people contacted actually had federal arrest warrants and none of the information provided during the calls checked out, she said the details added to their sense of apparent legitimacy.
"They said they were a specific deputy, but they're not meeting (victims) in person or showing them any credentials," Liedike said. "They are also providing people with case numbers and judges' names, which are all fictitious."
Marshals offices in the Lower 48 have reported seeing the scam, but Liedike said this week's cases mark the first time Alaska-based marshals have been impersonated in the same manner.
"That's a very scary threat, anyone hearing that there's an arrest warrant and that you need to pay this amount," Liedike said. "If (people) get anything involving the Marshals Service, they should deal with the Marshals Service directly."
In November, Anchorage police said several people had given up to $4,700 to avoid arrest in another scam by someone claiming to be Mark Holloway, a nonexistent Alaska state trooper. Troopers were also impersonated in a February phone scam during which people were asked to send $200 to claim prizes including a Mercedes-Benz automobile, as well as the delivery by two troopers of "a large sum of money."
Marshals encourage anyone who has received a call during the latest scam to contact either the Anchorage office of the FBI at 907-276-4441 or Anchorage police at 907-786-8900.