Scammers moving fast after arrests, BSO says. What you need to know to stay safe
The Broward Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to be on high alert for a fast-moving scam in which criminals pose as law enforcement officers and pressure families for money in the chaotic hours after a loved one is arrested.
According to a Monday, Dec. 8, news release, scammers are calling relatives of people who have just been booked into the Broward County Main Jail, claiming to be deputies, sergeants or pretrial specialists. Their pitch is urgent: They tell family members that they must immediately send money to cover bail, an ankle monitor or a so-called diversion program.
Officials say the impersonators use panic as a tool — targeting older adults or anyone who might react quickly under stress — and then push them to send instant electronic payments.
But BSO stressed the calls are fake. No legitimate law enforcement officer will request money over the phone or demand payment through Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers or any similar service. officials said.
“If someone demands immediate payment, it’s a scam,” the agency said.
People arrested in Broward are typically taken to a city police station first and, if held on more serious charges, transferred to a BSO jail facility such as the Main Jail in downtown Fort Lauderdale. That custody path may create an opening for fraudsters who are possibly tracking booking information and then reaching out to families.
BSO urged residents to warn relatives — especially elderly parents, grandparents and caregivers — who may be more vulnerable to high-pressure schemes.
If someone receives a call like this, officials say they should hang up, provide no personal information and verify any arrest through official channels.
Families can confirm a loved one’s custody status by calling the BSO Main Jail at 954-831-5900 or checking online at sheriff.org.
This story was originally published December 9, 2025 at 8:41 AM.
