May 07--State police at Carlisle are warning residents of a phone scam and attempted fraud where callers are impersonating police.
Police say that a person began receiving phone calls on her personal cell phone and also at work on Thursday and Friday.
The woman said the voice appears to be male with an Indian or Middle-Eastern accent.
The caller would leave voicemails if she did not answer the phone, and she eventually returned the call, according to police.
The man identified himself as "Officer James Brown" of the "State Bureau of Investigation." He told the woman that a complaint had been filed against her and her "social" and the she would be ordered to appear before court tomorrow, police said, adding that she was told if she did not go to court, her entire family would be arrested.
The man then stated the complaint pertained to an online loan that she had taken out and received cash for in her bank account, according to police. The man then provided the woman's account information to her, but when she looked at the account, she said there were no such deposits made, police said. When she confronted the man on the phone in regard to this, he hung up on the woman, according to police.
When calling the number, a voice recording can be heard stating "Department of Law and Justice, please leave a message," police said.
Police called the number and a man identifying himself as Attorney Greg Murphy of the "Law Firm of Bureau of Criminal Investigation" answered, saying the incident can be cleared up if the woman sends him a money order via Western Union to forgive her debt. Once the man was told he was being contacted by police, he hung up, police said.
At this time, it appears the calls were made in an attempt to defraud the woman.
Police say anyone receiving similar phone calls is advised to question their legitimacy and is discouraged from providing any personal information.
State police can be reached at 249-2121.
Copyright 2012 - The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa.
