COTTONWOOD, AZ – Officials are investigating a jail bail scam after two people were targeted in northern Arizona this week.
Dwight D’Evelyn with the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to a fraud report at Camp Verde Detention Center jail lobby on Monday.
Deputies met with the employee of a restaurant in Cottonwood who explained she received a phone call at work from a person claiming he was an "Officer of the Court."
He allegedly told her there was someone in jail she knew but he could only release the name of the employee if she identified the person first.
She mentioned the name of an employee not currently at work and the man told her she was correct and claimed this person was in-custody for a DUI, according to D’Evelyn.
She was also apparently told that the arrestee had enough money for bail, but Arizona law did not permit arrestees to bail themselves out of jail.
The "Court Officer" reportedly requested the employee to post a bond and the arrestee would pay her back upon release.
D’Evelyn said the man told the employee how to use the "MoneyGram" system and she complied by sending $700.00 to a location in Largo, Florida.
The employee went to the Camp Verde Detention center to pick-up the arrestee, but there was no record of the person in-custody.
The employee eventually located the "arrestee" at home and determined none of the story was true.
She called "MoneyGram" and apparently learned the money had not been claimed. She was provided a full refund.
Deputies contacted the "MoneyGram" office in Florida and asked a staff member to call the local police if anyone showed to obtain the $700.00. D’Evelyn said the staff person was unwilling to assist deputies.
The YCSO Crime Prevention Office later received a call from a Sedona resort security manager who explained a similar situation involving one of their employees.
No money was ever sent and the employee immediately contacted his supervisor, according to YCSO.
YCSO would like to remind anyone receiving these types of calls to not engage in such a transaction unless you have verified the source.
Obtain the person’s full name and a call back number. It is easy to get caught up in the moment when you are convinced a friend or co-worker needs your help.
Bail solicitations will never be initiated by court or law enforcement officials. Upon booking, prisoners are provided with a list of bail bond agents who are licensed to work in Arizona and therefore there is no need to send money out of state.
