Scammers pose as police, threaten arrest


Scammers posing as members of the Newport Beach Police Department have called at least two city residents, saying they would be arrested unless they paid a fee, police said Thursday.

The scammers told the residents they had arrest warrants because of a missed court date or an ignored jury summons. But, the scammer offered, if they paid the fee, they could avoid arrest.

Neither person who reported the call to police gave the scammer any money, said Jennifer Manzella, a Newport Beach police spokeswoman. Other people might have gotten similar calls, but not reported them to police.

Manzella said police wanted to get a public alert out quickly after hearing of the scam Thursday so no one would fall for it.

She said the Police Department would never make such calls or offer to let someone avoid arrest by paying money. Anyone who gets a suspicious call or has a question for police can call 949-644-3717.

Contact the writer: or 949-229-5950


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