The victim stated she told the subject that he did not sound like her grandson, but the caller told her that he had a cold. The victim said that she then told the caller that she needed to speak with who was in charge and a subject who identified himself as “Samuel Ross” got on the phone. The victim stated that she was advised that she needed to go get 3,000 dollars on Lowe’s gift cards to get her grandson out of jail. The victim said that the man who identified himself as Samuel told her that her grandson could get out at 5 pm.

The victim said that she got the cards and called back around 4:30 pm and was told that her grandson was in a holding cell and she needed to call back at 9:00 am the next morning the victim stated that she asked who the judge was and Samuel told her that it was Judge “William Green.” The victim also stated that “Samuel” also told her that he was an attorney.

The victim told deputies that she got 3 Lowe’s gift cards with 1,000 dollars a piece on them. And advised that she gave Samuel the numbers on the cards. The victim advised that the number Samuel called from was 780-905-0645.

Sheriff James Singleton said, “Please be aware that Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center will never request that anyone go get a Lowe’s card or ask for another nontraditional form of payment of a fine or bond. If any citizen receives a similar call,please confirm that the call is coming from a detention center or law enforcement agency. Deputies and Detention Officers will be glad to confirm their identity.”

“This type of scam is happening often, I want the citizens of Hempstead County to be aware of this type of scam and remember if you’re in doubt about the identity of the person (s) calling hang up and call your local law enforcement agency We will be glad to help,” the sheriff added.