Clarksville police: Scammer tells victims to pay him to take care of arrest warrants

Colleen Guerry
·2 min read

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Clarksville authorities are turning to the community for help after taking several reports about scams.

The Clarksville Police Department (CPD) said its detectives are trying to identify a man who told two separate victims they had federal warrants for their arrest. The victims were reportedly instructed to meet the suspect at 2 Millennium Plaza downtown and pay him cash to take care of the warrants.

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Officials described the man as tall with a thin build and “short curly/twisted hair,” wearing a black polo and khaki pants.

(Source: Clarksville Police Department)
(Source: Clarksville Police Department)
(Source: Clarksville Police Department)
(Source: Clarksville Police Department)

“It is important to reiterate that at no time will anyone from a law enforcement agency request that you make a payment in cash, over the phone, or load money onto a prepaid card (Apple gift card, Green Dot card) to take care of an outstanding warrant,” police said in a statement on Friday, May 10. “This is a common tactic used by scammers, and we urge the public to remain cautious and informed.”

In almost every case, authorities said the victim received a phone call from someone pretending to be with CPD or the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). The scammer would allegedly tell the victim they needed to pay some type of fine or fee in order to avoid going to jail.

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According to police, the individual used a technique known as “caller ID spoofing,” which means, in some instances, the number that appears on a victim’s caller ID is CPD’s number, 931-648-0656, or MCSO’s number, 931-648-0611. In addition, the scammer reportedly gave the name of a current or former employee of CPD or MCSO.

If you have any information about or additional video footage of this incident, you are asked to contact Detective Smith at 931-648-0656, ext. 5695. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, call the Clarksville Montgomery County Crime Stoppers Tipsline at 931-645-8477, or submit a tip online.

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