The Newport News Police Department would like to warn citizens of a recent telephone scam being reported within the city. Today, Friday, February 24, 2017, shortly after 2:10 PM three citizens called the Police Department, each indicating they had received a telephone call from the Police Information Desk number at 757-928-4100. In the first case the female caller stated she had received a telephone call from a male identifying himself as a Police Detective and the Detective had indicated the caller’s son had a warrant for his arrest. Also the alleged Detective required money from the victim to make the warrants go away. The caller asked for several hundred dollars. In the second and third calls, the female was less specific and just demanded money from the victims. The victims did not cooperate and called police to learn the calls were a scam.
Police are encouraging citizens to report this type of activity and to document the telephone number that is displayed on their caller ID, if possible. We would also like to remind citizens that members of the Newport News Police Department will never contact you via telephone or in person demanding cash to prevent the service of a warrant or an arrest. To report suspicious activity, such as this, please call the police non-emergency line at (757) 247-2500.
Anyone that may have information concerning this type of scam is asked to call Newport News Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. Callers are reminded that they may remain totally anonymous, are never required to testify in court and could be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.