Local Police Warn Residents About Clever Money Scam

Las Cruces Police Department is warning residents of scam phone calls involving a man pretending to collect money on behalf of law enforcement. 

The Las Cruces Police Department have received three reports of someone calling Las Cruces residents, claiming to be a member of law enforcement who needs information from the caller. The caller then asks the person for either credit information or money to avoid being arrested. Here is one case of a woman who was targeted:

In one of the incidents reported to police, a 79-year-old woman lost $1,000 when she purchased a Green Dot Money Pak card and provided its account number to the caller. The caller, a “Lt. Donaldson,” had claimed to be from the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office and had called the woman stating that she failed to respond to a jury summons. The perpetrator reportedly told the woman she could avoid arrest by paying $1,000 via a Green Dot Money Pak card.

The Sheriff's office stated that they do not have a Lt. Donaldson that works for them, they did not make the call and that they do not collect money for any debt. That would be regarded as a civil matter.

If you have been a victim to this crime or one similar, the Las Cruces Police Department recommends that you file a police report.