MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — The Middletown Police Department is warning the public about an active scam after a caller has been falsely claiming to be a police sergeant.
Numerous residents and local professionals have received calls from an individual claiming to be “Sgt. Scott Saunders/Sanders of the Middletown Police Department.” The actual police department notes that it does not employ anyone by that name.
Middletown police add that the calls came from an internet generated phone number not associated with the police department. The initial people who received the calls were left voicemails, and the party did not answer return calls from them or Middletown police, who say it is unclear what the caller’s motivation is.
Just after 3 p.m. Friday, Middletown police said a local professional contacted the department to say that she received a call from the same individual. The caller told the complainant that she had an outstanding arrest warrant for failure to appear in court on a civil trial.
According to Middletown police, the caller asked the complainant to withdraw around $11,000 and submit it to a “Bitcoin” machine to erase a civil penalty. The caller also discouraged her from calling the actual police department to verify their identity.
The caller then put the complainant on hold and tried to prove their legitimacy by putting her in touch with Capt. Brian Hubbs. Middletown police say that Hubbs is an active member of the department but made no solicitation for money.
Ultimately, the complainant did not comply with the caller’s requests and instead contacted the police department to report the scam.
Middletown police encourage residents and professionals to contact the real police department if they receive similar calls claiming to be a member of the department and requesting money.
No law enforcement agency will request money transfers in any way or discourage callers from contacting the police to check the legitimacy of any investigation, according to Middletown police.
The Middletown Police Department Major Investigations Unit is now investigating the case. Anyone with any information on similar calls or the suspect’s identity can contact Det. D. Spedding at 860-638-4153.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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