Arrest warrant scam targets local doctors

At least four local doctors were targeted in an arrest warrant scam in which a caller told them they could take care of the warrants by purchasing Green Dot cards, Bell County authorities said Tuesday.

The Bell County Sheriff’s Department received calls from three of the doctors Monday in reference to whether they were named in active arrest warrants.

A fourth doctor later called with the same question.

Ultimately the sheriff’s department received six calls Monday about the scam.

Each of the victims said they received a call from a man who identified himself as James Marshall and claimed to be a Bell County deputy, sheriff's Maj. T.J. Cruz said Tuesday.

“The person advised each caller that there were warrants of arrest on each for not appearing for a jury summons,” Cruz said.

Marshall is not a Bell County deputy, he said.

The caller told them that they could take care of the warrant by going to the Office Max store in Temple and purchasing a Green Dot Card.

“The victims advised the investigators that Marshall told them that they had to remain on the line to verify that they were on their way. The victims stated that once they had purchased the card they are to give him the numbers off the card,” Cruz said.

He told the victims that once he verified the prepaid cards were good, he would meet them at the Sheriff’s Department.

“The victims advised Marshall that they could not make it and disconnected the call,” he said.

Then they called the sheriff’s department.