Fresno Sheriff's Office Warns of Scammer With Southern Accent

Impersonator targets elderly residents, claims loved one is in jail and needs money for ankle monitor

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:37pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a cracked smartphone screen reflecting a dim, red light, conceptually illustrating the harsh, gritty, and sudden nature of a law enforcement impersonation scam.A cracked screen reflects the ominous glow of a scammer's call, exposing the vulnerability of those targeted by impersonators posing as law enforcement.Fresno Today

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office has been warning the public about an ongoing phone scam where a person with a strong Southern accent impersonates a sheriff's office captain, lieutenant, or sergeant and tries to trick elderly residents into sending money, claiming their loved one is in jail and needs to purchase an ankle monitor to be released.

Why it matters

Phone scams targeting the elderly are a persistent problem, and law enforcement agencies across California are dealing with impersonators who use public information to pose as officials. This scam highlights the need for continued public awareness and education to prevent vulnerable residents from falling victim.

The details

The scammer tells victims that their loved one is in jail and needs to purchase an ankle monitor, costing hundreds or thousands of dollars, in order to be released. Victims are instructed to send the money through digital payment apps or cryptocurrency, with the promise they can later return the ankle monitor to get their money back. However, the Fresno County Sheriff's Office has stated they do not conduct business in this manner and will not call residents to demand payment to avoid trouble.

  • The Fresno County Sheriff's Office has been warning the public about this scam since at least 2023.
  • The office provided more details about the scammer's identity in a release last month.

The players

Fresno County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency in Fresno County, California that has been warning residents about an ongoing phone scam.

Tony Botti

A spokesperson for the Fresno County Sheriff's Office who has provided details about the scam.

Lt. Chris Berry

A member of the Marin County Sheriff's Office who has seen similar scams where impersonators use public information to pose as law enforcement officials.

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What they’re saying

“'This person, who reportedly uses a strong southern accent, is a fraud and does not work for the Fresno County Sheriff's Office,'”

— Tony Botti, Spokesperson, Fresno County Sheriff's Office

“'We always want to remind you that the Fresno County Sheriff's Office never does business this way. We will not call you to tell you you're in trouble, you missed jury duty, you have a warrant out for your arrest and that if you pay a sum of money, you're going to get out of trouble.'”

— Tony Botti, Spokesperson, Fresno County Sheriff's Office

“'They've used my name at one point. I think they find information on the internet.'”

— Lt. Chris Berry, Marin County Sheriff's Office

What’s next

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office continues to warn the public about this ongoing scam and urges residents to be cautious of any unsolicited calls claiming to be from law enforcement demanding money.

The takeaway

This scam highlights the persistent problem of phone scams targeting the elderly, as well as the broader issue of impersonators using public information to pose as law enforcement officials across California. Increased public awareness and education are crucial to prevent vulnerable residents from falling victim to these types of fraudulent schemes.