CASS COUNTY, N.D. (CCSO) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office wishes to inform the public of a scam tactic in the Fargo Moorhead area, causing concern for our Office. Yesterday, our Office took a report from a scam victim who had been contacted a scammer identifying himself as deputy with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. When the victim questioned the legitimacy of the phone call, the scammer claimed to be with “Sheriff Jahner,” and another male then spoke with the victim. When the victim asked for “Sheriff Jahner’s” unit number, the correct unit number was provided. The scammer invited the victim to come to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Center in North Fargo, if the victim wanted further verification. After providing fictitious court and case numbers, the scammer convinced the victim to send money through a Bitcoin machine, and the victim lost all funds.
Scammers are now using open-source information to validate deputies’ information prior to calling a potential.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Law enforcement will never request payment through Bitcoin.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind the public to remain vigilant if they receive a phone call from a deputy within our office. If at any time you don’t feel the circumstances are adding up; simply end the phone conversation, call the Red River Regional Dispatch Center at (701) 451-7660, and request to speak with a deputy. Dispatch will transfer the call to an on-shift deputy and the deputy will assist in providing legitimacy to the original phone call. Given the amount of scamming occurrences law enforcement is notified of our office fully understands at times we may be questioned on legitimacy, and we would prefer someone follow the verification process before falling victim.