{"id":309514,"date":"2025-10-17T01:40:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T01:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/309514\/"},"modified":"2025-10-17T01:40:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T01:40:12","slug":"houston-woman-loses-thousands-in-new-jury-duty-scam-using-crypto-payments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/309514\/","title":{"rendered":"Houston woman loses thousands in new jury duty scam using crypto payments"},"content":{"rendered":"

HOUSTON<\/strong> \u2013 A Houston woman lost thousands of dollars to scammers who used a sophisticated new variation of the classic jury duty scam, complete with falsified federal documents and a cryptocurrency payment scheme.<\/p>\n

The victim, who requested anonymity, received what appeared to be a legitimate call from someone claiming to be a deputy, warning of arrest warrants for missing federal jury duty.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey started with my full name,\u201d the victim recalled. \u201cThey said, \u2018I\u2019m a deputy, I\u2019m calling regarding some warrants out for your arrest.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

What made this scam particularly convincing was the level of personal information the scammers possessed. <\/p>\n

They sent official-looking arrest warrants via email containing the victim\u2019s full name and even her parents\u2019 address.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw the documents and I looked them over and it looked legit,\u201d she said. \u201cThey had like a postal service document that had a signature.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sophisticated tactics<\/b><\/p>\n

Unlike traditional scams that request gift cards or bank information, these fraudsters directed the victim to make cryptocurrency payments at a specific location downtown. <\/p>\n

The location, advertised as a \u201cfederal bonds location,\u201d was actually a storefront with cryptocurrency ATMs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel so silly now, but it seemed so legit then,\u201d the victim said, noting she didn\u2019t notice red flags like CBD advertisements in the window until later.<\/p>\n

Warning signs<\/b><\/p>\n

The Harris County District Clerk emphasizes that legitimate court officials never call citizens to impose penalties. They advise anyone receiving such calls to report them immediately to law enforcement.<\/p>\n

While the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) typically handles such scam reports, their reporting system is currently unavailable due to the government shutdown.<\/p>\n

How to protect yourself<\/b><\/p>\n

The victim\u2019s advice to others is emphatic: \u201c180 out of the building. 180. End the call, don\u2019t do anything with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Law enforcement officials recommend:<\/p>\n