Forsyth Detectives Prevent $7,000 Phone Scam Targeting Local Resident Ahead of Christmas

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – On December 11, a lieutenant with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office property crimes unit received a call from a concerned wife who said her husband appeared to be the target of a scam.

According to authorities, the woman reported that her husband was on the phone with someone demanding money to cancel alleged arrest warrants and that he had stopped responding to calls and text messages.

Investigators said the caller falsely claimed to be a chief deputy with Fulton County Sheriff’s Office and told the victim he had missed a court date and faced two counts of contempt of court.

The scammer allegedly demanded a bond payment of $20,000, later lowering the amount to $11,000 after the victim said he could not pay the full sum.

Authorities said the caller also instructed the victim not to speak to anyone, claiming a “gag order” was in place.

Using location information provided by the victim’s wife, investigators coordinated with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Real Time Crime Center and alerted authorities in Cobb County.

Detectives responded to a bank in Cobb County and contacted the institution to halt any transactions on the account.

Deputies located the victim as he was leaving the bank after withdrawing $7,000.

Investigators were able to intervene before any money was transferred to the scammer.

Authorities say no funds were lost due to the coordinated response.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is again reminding the public that law enforcement agencies do not call individuals to demand payment for warrants or court matters and encourages residents to share information about such scams to help prevent others from becoming victims.