NORTHAMPTON CO. (WOLF) — Pennsylvania State Police in Troop M, along with the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, are warning residents about a phone scam in which callers pose as law enforcement officers and demand payment in Bitcoin to clear fake arrest warrants.
Authorities say several people in the Lehigh Valley have reported receiving calls from individuals claiming to be deputies with the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office. The callers tell victims there is a warrant out for their arrest for failing to appear for jury duty and insist that immediate payment is required to avoid being taken into custody.
Investigators say the callers direct victims to make payments using Bitcoin, a type of cryptocurrency that is difficult to trace and recover once sent.
In one case, on December 20, 2025, a woman reported receiving a call from someone claiming she had two outstanding warrants for missing jury duty. Believing the threat was real, she completed three Bitcoin transactions totaling $10,000.
On February 9, 2026, another woman was told she had an active warrant and needed to send money through Bitcoin. She transferred $4,000 before state troopers intervened during a traffic stop and informed her the call was fraudulent.
Just two days later, on February 11, a third victim reported losing $16,500 in two separate Bitcoin transactions after receiving a similar call about alleged warrants.
State police stress that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not request payments over the phone and do not accept cryptocurrency or other unconventional payment methods to resolve warrants or fines.
Officials urge anyone who receives a call demanding payment to hang up immediately and avoid sharing personal or financial information. Residents who believe they have been targeted by a scam are encouraged to contact their local police department.