TORRINGTON – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Denver released a statement warning local news entities of an apparent ongoing scam to defraud women in Colorado and Wyoming.

The alleged scammers are reported to be calling women while impersonating local law enforcement officers and asking for money, gift cards and sometimes videos or pictures of the women performing strip searches of themselves. The callers tell their victims there is an outstanding warrant or fine for them, and they can send gift cards or transfer money over the phone.

“The FBI warns citizens that if they receive a phone call from someone claiming to be law enforcement asking for money or gift cards, to hang up and report it to their local law enforcement authorities and the FBI,” the release quotes FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider as saying.

The scammers are reported to be using the names of real officers in the victims’ communities as an added measure of convincing them of the legitimacy of the scam. The FBI reports more than 300 women in Larimer County, Colorado and more than 100 in Denver have fallen victim to this scam between the years of 2016 and 2021.

Torrington Police Chief Matt Johnson urges caution when receiving an alleged call from local law enforcement.

“People need to feel empowered to ask questions, and they need to be empowered to confirm information before they give things out,” he said.

Scammers will sometimes impersonate specific local officers, something Johnson said he has been the victim of. One way to confirm the validity of the call is to call the dispatch center before answering any question or giving out any personal information. The dispatcher on duty will be able to confirm whether or not the officer in question is actually trying to reach the individual. If the caller becomes hostile or aggressive, insisting on not hanging up until the money comes through or the questions are answered, that can be taken as a red flag that the call is an attempted scam.

“We have zero concerns about you [calling dispatch],” Johnson said. 

Things to look out for when receiving a call from an alleged law enforcement officer or entity are claims an individual has outstanding warrants or fines in their name, claims the individual is being held in contempt for failing to appear for jury duty, the caller demanding the individual stay on the line until the money is transferred, requests for monetary gift cards and requests for the individual to conduct a personal strip search and to send videos or pictures.

The callers reportedly speak with a Southern accent.