PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Valley families desperate to free loved ones from jail are being targeted by scammers posing as law enforcement officials, court administrators warned Tuesday.
According to officials, at least three documented victims losing between $300 and $1,750 in what officials describe as an unprecedented scheme.
The scam works with alarming precision: Fraudsters send text messages and make phone calls to family members of arrested individuals, complete with the detainee’s name, arrest information and date of birth — details that lend the communications an air of legitimacy.
“It had their name, their arrest information, and also their date of birth,” one victim told investigators, describing the deceptive message.
The scammers then instruct victims to pay bail via Zelle, a popular money transfer app. The families comply, believing they are securing the release of their incarcerated relatives. But when they attempt to pick up their loved ones from jail, they discover the payments never reached the court system.
“And then when they went to get the loved one out of jail, they were not able to because they hadn’t actually paid the bond,” said criminal court administrator Nicole Garcia.
A Vulnerability Exposed in Courtroom
The fraudulent scheme came to light during a routine court hearing when a family member approached a commissioner and disclosed what had happened to them. Garcia said the incident exposed a vulnerability that has not previously surfaced in Maricopa County’s justice system.
“This new scam, it’s targeting family members of those who have been arrested and are in the criminal justice system. This is not anything that we have seen before,” Garcia said.
While three victims have formally come forward, Garcia acknowledged that additional individuals have contacted the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office reporting similar experiences, suggesting the true scope of the fraud may be significantly larger.
Red Flags and Permanent Loss
Garcia identified payment method as the primary indicator of a scam. “Zelle is a major red flag,” she stated. “We will never contact you over the phone or via text and ask for money.”
The permanence of the loss distinguishes this scam from legitimate court proceedings. In actual criminal cases in which the court collects bonds, the money is refunded at the conclusion of the case, provided the defendant appears at all required hearings. Victims of this fraud recover nothing.
“In this case, the money is gone forever,” Garcia said.
Court officials emphasize that all bonds and fines can only be paid in person at designated payment locations. Anyone receiving calls or texts demanding bond payment via electronic transfer should hang up immediately and report the incident to local law enforcement.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the scam and encouraging additional victims to come forward.
For questions regarding the criminal process or bonds, please visit: What you need to know about bonds in Maricopa County.
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