HCSO: Phone scam targeting sex offenders, at least one swindled out of $3,000
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. — The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is warning the community of a phone scam that is currently being directed at registered sex offenders.
HCSO Sex Offender Registry Office officials have gotten word that a number of offenders have gotten called by someone claiming to be an 'Officer Davenport' with the sheriff's office.
The person on the other end then goes on to say that the offender's DNA is not currently on file, and they have to pay $1,500 for a test in order to avoid prosecution and/or jail time.
Other offenders have been told that their original test was not completed correctly, and has to be redone.
The caller then either arranges a place to meet, or asks for payment over the phone - usually in the form of a VISA or Master Card. The sheriff's office says the impostor will keep the person on the line as they get their information. The imposter may instead opt for using pre-paid money cards.
According to the sheriff's office, at least one reported registered sex offender has been swindled out of about $3,000 by scammers.
The HCSO says right now, they aren't sure how these scammers got the contact information for the various offenders, but their Criminal Investigations Division is actively investigating.
The sheriff's office says if any registered sex offenders in the county receive phone calls from anyone claiming to be with the Sex Offender Registry Office (other than their normal case worker), they should call their case agent immediately.
