Scammers posing as a parish jail kept a mother on the phone for almost three hours and took $1,700 by Venmo, then asked for $6,750 more.
A Louisiana family lost $1,700 after scammers pretending to be a parish jail called about their jailed son. The caller knew his charges and used an officer's name. The family paid by Venmo, and the company says that money cannot be recovered. Then the scammers asked for $6,750 more.
The morning after the son was jailed in Iberville Parish, the family got calls that appeared to come from the Iberville Parish Bond and Bookings number. The scammers also texted ankle monitor information. They called the mother at work and gave details about her son's case, including a name, Wade Raspberry, presented as an officer.
She was told to pay a fee so he could be released. Venmo and CashApp limits got in the way, so the callers pointed her to a cash kiosk in Baton Rouge. When she offered to call back, they said they could not hang up. She called her bank, raised her limit and sent the $1,700 by Venmo. The call lasted almost three hours.
After the payment, she was passed to another person. That person said she needed $6,750 for an ankle bracelet and something else. She pushed back and stopped. Someone she then reached told her it was a scam. She filed a police report. She said she was focused on getting her son out and missed the warning signs.
West Feliciana Parish Sheriff Brian Spillman said the calls come from out of state. He said the scammers use online reporting tools to find families of people in jail. They also spoof real phone numbers, which means the caller ID can show a number that looks genuine. He added that his office does not provide ankle monitoring services.
The Port Allen Police Department warned of a related version. Scammers email or text official-looking papers, such as a fake "Bail Order and Release Authorization," and demand upfront payment. They use it to promise a relative's release, clear warrants or settle bogus legal claims.
Families of people in jail face the most risk, since that is who the scammers look for. Anyone who gets a rushed demand for money tied to a legal problem should also be wary. The mother's own lesson was that the parish does not phone and ask for payment through Venmo. She said bail must be paid in person.
The alert box above lists the steps. The main idea is to end the call and check with the jail yourself. Report the contact to police and your payment app quickly.
The article does not say who is behind the calls or whether the family will get any money back. The mother said she hopes it will be returned. The family has not been named, to protect their identity.
If someone demands bail or fees by app over the phone, hang up and call the jail on a number you find yourself.
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