MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Authorities in Martin County are asking for the public’s help in locating a woman accused of orchestrating a sophisticated jury duty scam that cost a local man tens of thousands of dollars.

According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, 31-year-old Kenique Bellamy posed as a sheriff’s office employee and convinced her victim that he had missed federal jury duty. She claimed a warrant had been issued for his arrest and pressured him to pay supposed “federal fines” to avoid being taken into custody.

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Investigators say Bellamy used fear and manipulation to get the man to deposit $23,600 into a Bitcoin ATM—a method increasingly favored by scammers for its anonymity and difficulty to trace.

Local residents expressed shock and concern over the scam.

“It’s shocking, you know,” said John Hunter, a Martin County resident. “I’m sure it happens every day to people, and you really got to double-check these phone numbers that people are calling you from.”

Garrette Stevens, another resident, added, “Well, that sounds frightening and crazy. People need to be on the alert.”

Natalie Swenson shared her own experience with scams: “That’s terrifying. I get targeted for E-ZPass up in New York, which I haven’t lived in for decades. So it’s no surprise that people are getting creative with how they’re trying to accrue money out of innocent victims.”

After reviewing transaction records and digital evidence, investigators identified Bellamy and have issued a warrant for her arrest. However, her current whereabouts remain unknown.

Authorities are urging anyone who recognizes Bellamy or knows where she might be to contact the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, their local law enforcement agency. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS.

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