The office recently received a call reporting the scam. The initial voicemail identified the caller as a Deputy from the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office calling about an inmate and asking the recipient to call back.
Upon calling the number back, the situation escalated. A man identifying himself as “Captain Owens” from the Summit County Sheriff’s Office claimed that Crawford County was holding one of their inmates. He then attempted to convince the recipient to bond out the individual using an Apple or Android account (referring to gift cards).
The victim was then allegedly transferred to a “Captain Dan McGavin,” who also insisted on payment via Apple or Android accounts for the bond.
The Scam Unravels
Investigators immediately noted major red flags. When questioned, the callers posing as deputies could not name the actual Sheriff and refused to allow the recipient to speak with the Sheriff before ultimately hanging up.
Crawford County Sheriff Kent has since been in contact with Summit County Sheriff Kandi Fatheree, who confirmed that no deputies by the names “Captain Owens” or “Captain Dan McGavin” are employed at her office. This confirmed that the calls were part of a fraudulent scheme.
Official Warning and Safety Steps
Sheriff Kent emphasizes a critical piece of information for all residents:
“The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office will never reach out to you asking for bond payments over the phone.”
Law enforcement agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office, will never demand payment for bonds or fines using gift cards (like Apple or Android accounts), wire transfers, or pre-paid debit cards.
DO NOT give your personal or financial information to these scammers.
If you receive a suspicious call like this and question its legitimacy, the Sheriff’s Office advises you to immediately hang up and call the official line directly to verify the information.