Scammers posing as members of the Lafayette Police Department have called a number of people, according to a news release from the department.

The fraudsters pretended to be cops and tried to keep victims on the phone until they paid money for missed court dates, arrest warrants, and other demands.

“In just one day, we had five calls from people claiming to have received a call from one of our officers. To contact the victims, these fraudsters use spoof numbers “Sgt. Robin Green, a department spokesperson, stated in a statement.

In April 2020, during the initial wave of COVID-19, other con artists acting as IRS agents called or emailed the general public in Vermilion Parish and assured them that their personal and bank information was necessary in order to get the first $1,200 stimulus payment.

In order to get their victims to pay money for missed court dates, arrest warrants, and other demands, the con artists pretended to be police officers and called the victims constantly.

The public has been warned by Lafayette Police Department officers not to ever call someone and demand or seek money over the phone.

Officers from the Lafayette Police Department have reminded the public that they never call anyone and demand or seek money over the phone.

“Do not engage in any dialogue with the persons and hang up the phone if you receive a call similar to this,” Sgt. Green advised.

Scams on the phone and online are nothing new in Acadiana. Scammers posing as Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s deputies stole money from victims over the phone in January.

In February of last year, the sheriff’s offices in Lafayette and Vermilion cautioned residents about a scam in which a con artist pretended to be a member of local police enforcement. In that case, the fraudster claimed to have a warrant out for the recipient’s arrest and demanded money in exchange for the warrant being resolved.

Other scammers posing as IRS agents contacted the public in Vermilion Parish by phone or email in April 2020, in the midst of COVID-19’s initial wave, assuring them that their personal and bank information was required to get the first $1,200 stimulus payout.

The con artists pretended to be cops and called victims repeatedly until they paid money for missing court dates, arrest warrants, and other demands.

Lafayette Police Department officers have reminded the public that they never call somebody and demand or request money over the phone.

In Acadiana, phone and internet scams are nothing new. In January, con artists posing as Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s officers took money from victims over the phone.

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Residents in Lafayette and Vermilion counties were warned about a scam in which a con artist appeared to be a member of the local police department. In that case, the con artist claimed to have a warrant out for the recipient’s arrest and wanted money in exchange for the warrant being lifted.

Other scammers acting as IRS agents contacted the public in Vermilion Parish by phone or email in April, during the initial wave of COVID-19, promising them that their personal and bank information was required to receive the first $1,200 stimulus award.