Police issue warning about scam targeting Richmond residents

RICHMOND, TX (KTRK) -- Richmond police are warning residents about scammers who are pretending to be law enforcement officers so they can scare their victims into paying up.

Police say a man has called several people and told them warrants for their arrests have been issued because they've missed either a court date or jury duty. The scammer threatens to arrest them if they don't pay a certain amount of money.

In each case, the scammer has identified himself as either a corporal or a captain from the Richmond City Police Department using a different last name.

"He has gone as far as telling individuals he would meet them at the police department to receive the money. This is a scam," according to a Richmond Police Department statement. "Neither the Richmond Police Department nor the Richmond City Court will make such calls."

Police are asking residents who've received similar calls to report it.