Police Department

Beware Of a Phone Scam Where the Caller Claims To Be Law Enforcement

Ofc. John O'Brien, PIO

Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 4:03 p.m.

Beware of a phone scam where the caller claims to be Law Enforcement and asks the community member to purchase gift cards and provide the card numbers to the caller.

Over the last week, Crime Check has received several reports of phone call scams and fraud. The Spokane Police Department (SPD) would like to make you aware of a phone scam to help you limit your chance of becoming a victim.

Yesterday, a Spokane citizen called Crime Check to report he received a phone call from a person representing himself as, “Agent Malina.” The citizen’s caller ID showed, “Homeland Security.” It was an automated recording that told the citizen there was a warrant out for his arrest. The citizen was transferred to a phone number for the Spokane Valley Police Department. After the transfer, a female was on the phone and claimed the subject’s identity had been stolen and was used for crimes in Texas and in order to protect his assets, he needed to put all his money on prepaid VISA cards.

The victim purchased eight $500 gift cards and provided the card information to the caller over the phone. The caller claimed they would reach out the next day. The victim realized he had been scammed.

Law Enforcement Agencies WILL NOT call citizens to tell them they have a warrant, that their identity has been stolen and their assets would be compromised unless they purchase GIFT CARDS and provide the card information to the caller.

Never provide your personal information, banking information or pay any fee (prepaid gift cards) to anyone without doing your own research to verify the agency or business. SPD encourages the community to report all attempted scams to Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.

For more information regarding Common Scams and Frauds or to report incidents, please go to the usa.gov website.  https://www.usa.gov/common-scams-frauds

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