ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A scam involving people pretending to be St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office personnel has come to an end with the arrest of a Georgia woman.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO) reported that Alisha Chejuan Ester, 47, from Douglasville, Georgia, was part of a sophisticated scheme that targeted citizens both in St. Lucie County and across the United States, affecting victims in states like Arizona and Tennessee.
According to SLCSO, Ester, along with several accomplices located within the Georgia Department of Corrections, posed as SLCSO personnel.
They allegedly contacted victims, falsely informing them of missed court dates or outstanding warrants, and demanded payment to avoid prosecution.
Officials said that this scam manipulated vulnerable individuals by exploiting their fear of law enforcement, leading them to pay out fraudulent amounts through various electronic methods.
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The investigation culminated in Ester’s arrest in Jacksonville, in a collaboration between the SLCSO and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
She has been booked into the Duval County Jail on criminal counts, including Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device and Third-Degree Grand Theft.
SLCSO said that they want to remind the public that law enforcement will never call you to inform you of a warrant or demand payment over the phone.
If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from the police, it is advised to hang up and contact your local law enforcement agency directly.
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