From ABC7 New York · · 1m 50s
How a TikTok influencer exposed a fake arrest warrant scam
A New Jersey mother received a call from someone impersonating a real lieutenant, complete with her personal details and a fake warrant signed by a dead judge.
In brief
A New Jersey mother received a call from someone impersonating a real lieutenant, complete with her personal details and a fake warrant signed by a dead judge. Scammers can sound credible by using real names, stolen personal information, and multiple callers, but legitimate law enforcement never demands cash over the…
Influencer gets call from fake lieutenant
Lindsay Angio received a call from someone claiming to be Lieutenant Damian Pope of the Bergen County Sheriff's Office, saying she had an outstanding warrant.
Scammer knew personal details
The caller had Angio's name, address, social security number, and even knew which car she drove, making the call seem legitimate and credible.
“He confirmed my name, my address, my social security number. Like I didn't say it, he said it.”
Real lieutenant's name checked out
Angio looked up the name and confirmed Lieutenant Damian Pope was a real officer at the Bergen County Sheriff's Office, adding to the scam's credibility.
“And I looked him up and he's a real lieutenant, that name at that office.”
Multiple callers made it sound real
Several people participated in the call, creating a realistic operation that included sending a fake arrest warrant signed by a deceased judge.
“There were multiple people involved in this phone. It wasn't just one, that's why it sounded so realistic.”
Scam unravels at credit union
When the caller instructed Angio to withdraw cash from a federal credit union instead of going to the sheriff's office, she became suspicious and went to the real location instead.
“I don't take cash; you have to get it checked basically like through a federal credit union.”
Real lieutenant confronts the scammer
At the sheriff's office, Lieutenant Pope recorded a call with the scammer, who continued demanding Angio turn herself in and threatening handcuffs.
“She needs to come turn herself in or she's going to go through the bonding process.”
Sheriff warns about the scheme
Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton confirmed that legitimate law enforcement never requests money over the phone to resolve warrants or avoid arrest.
“We don't ask you for money. We don't ask to meet at a designated place to transfer the money.”
Scam has stolen half a million dollars
The same suspects have likely run this scam for four to five years, obtaining roughly half a million dollars. Authorities believe the operation involves a Georgia prison inmate using a burner phone and outside accomplices.
At a glance
Scammers can sound credible by using real names, stolen personal information, and multiple callers, but legitimate law enforcement never demands cash over the phone to resolve warrants.
