Two Twentynine Palms residents were swindled out of $800 by scam artists who were pretending to be Morongo Basin Sheriff’s deputies. The Sheriff’s Department says a 51-year-old woman, and a 70-year-old man from the 5600 block of Mariposa Avenue said that they received a phone call from a man who was able to mask his Caller ID to show he was calling from the Sheriff’s Department. The man said the woman had a warrant out for her arrest, but she could recall the warrant by paying $800 in gift cards. The woman bought the gift cards and gave the card numbers to the suspect. Deputies remind residents that neither the Sheriff’s Department, nor any other government agency will ever contact residents by phone to pay off arrest warrants, fines, fees, or any other funds with gift cards. Managing editor Tami Roleff has more information about how to avoid falling prey to these scams…
Neither the Sheriff’s Department nor other government agencies will solicit residents with the above-mentioned tactics in order to collect money. Members of law enforcement agencies do not accept payment for outstanding warrants and do not enforce delinquencies for other government agencies, such as the IRS or Social Security Administration. If you receive one of these calls, please do not give out any personal information, do not wire any money, and do not provide payment in the form of gift cards. Deputies urge residents to share information to prevent others from falling victim to these scammers. If you have fallen victim to a similar scam or have any information related to this investigation, please contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175.
