Colorado authorities are cautioning residents after a recent incident in Keystone where a resident lost thousands of dollars in Bitcoin to a jury duty scam. The scheme, which involves fraudsters impersonating law enforcement, has reappeared in various counties across the state, with unsuspecting victims being threatened with arrest unless they pay significant sums of money.
Scam Tactics and Recent Incident in Keystone
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office reported that scammers contacted a Keystone resident, posing as law enforcement officials and falsely claiming that the individual had missed jury duty—a purported “felony offense.” To avoid immediate arrest, the resident was instructed to make an urgent payment in Bitcoin. The caller demanded over $6,000, which the resident paid, with an additional $4,000 almost sent before authorities managed to intervene.
Deputies provided the resident with guidance on protecting their personal information, as some sensitive details had been disclosed during the interaction. “Personal information was also given to the scammer during the phone call. The resident was given preventative steps to protect his identity,” noted the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.
This isn’t the first instance of this type of scam in the Keystone area. In September, another local resident was targeted in a similar scheme. The caller, pretending to be a sergeant from another Colorado county, insisted that the victim needed to pay $8,000 in order to avoid arrest. Luckily, bank staff became suspicious and were able to prevent the transaction before it went through.
The “Jury Duty” Scam Explained
The so-called “jury duty scam” has been circulating for years and has been a recurring problem in Colorado. The scam typically begins with a phone call from someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer. The scammer informs the target that they missed a scheduled jury duty appearance, which, according to the caller, is a criminal offense punishable by arrest. Victims are told that they can avoid legal trouble by paying fines immediately, often through unconventional payment methods like Bitcoin, gift cards, or wire transfers.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office highlighted this scam in 2021, saying, “The caller threatens the person who picked up the phone, stating they missed jury duty. The scammer goes on to say it is a felony to miss jury duty and the targeted victim needs to pay fines.” Officials clarified that their office, like other legitimate law enforcement agencies, never contacts individuals by phone or text to request payment or threaten arrest.
Preventive Measures and Official Warnings
Colorado law enforcement agencies across multiple counties have issued reminders and alerts to help residents avoid falling for these tactics. Key points emphasized by officials include:
- Legitimate Law Enforcement Will Not Call for Payment: No legitimate law enforcement agency in Colorado, or elsewhere in the U.S., will call to demand immediate payment or threaten arrest.
- Verify Suspicious Calls: If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and independently verify the information by contacting the relevant agency directly.
- Beware of Unconventional Payment Methods: Demands for payment via Bitcoin, gift cards, or wire transfers are red flags, as these methods are commonly used by scammers to make transactions difficult to trace.
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office urged anyone who receives similar calls to end the conversation immediately and contact the real law enforcement agency for verification. They warned, “Our office NEVER calls or sends texts to inform individuals they have an active warrant or have missed court or jury duty.”
Similar Scams and Wider Implications
The jury duty scam is one of many tactics used by fraudsters targeting vulnerable populations. These schemes prey on victims’ fears and confusion, often exploiting people unfamiliar with legal procedures. Scammers typically pose as figures of authority, pressuring their targets to act quickly and without seeking advice. The choice of Bitcoin as a payment method in the Keystone case highlights an evolving trend where scammers take advantage of cryptocurrency’s relative anonymity and difficulty to recover once funds are transferred.
In response to the prevalence of such scams, law enforcement agencies across Colorado continue to educate the public on recognizing and avoiding fraud attempts. Community programs, online resources, and frequent press releases remind residents to exercise caution, especially when dealing with unsolicited requests for payment or personal information.
For now, Colorado residents are advised to remain vigilant. If something seems off or overly urgent, it’s often a sign to step back, verify, and avoid becoming the next victim.
