IBERVILLE, La. (WAFB) – A local welder and father of two lost nearly $4,000 to scammers who used detailed personal information to convince him he had an outstanding warrant, according to the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The victim, identified as JJ, said the scammers knew way too much about him, which made it seem like it was a legitimate and local issue. He said he questioned everything, but the person on the other line gave explanations that clouded his judgment.
“They got their stuff together, and it happened to me, it could happen to you, and yeah, I feel like an idiot,” JJ said.
Scammers claimed warrant for failure to appear
The scammers told JJ he had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear and contempt of court. They said he would be arrested and held in jail for at least two months if he didn’t pay immediately. He was threatened with arrest when he offered to go to the courthouse and pay for it.
“These people had my license plate number, my VIN number, they had access to a case I was involved with after an accident on my motorcycle with the citations of that, they had my address, home, they knew who my neighbors was and what they drove,” JJ said.
After multiple calls discussing personal information, JJ decided he would rather pay the fine than be sent to jail. However, he did not owe any money, and there was no warrant.
Professional operation targets multiple victims
Sheriff Brett Stassi said JJ is not the only victim who has paid. He believes the scam extends well beyond Iberville Parish and possibly Louisiana.
“They are using some official email addresses, some names that are known at the sheriff’s office and some official looking US state district court from the eastern district paperwork saying that people didn’t show up for court and they owe some money, and we’re not talking about 50 dollars, this one here is actually for forty seven hundred dollars,” Stassi said.
Warning signs and prevention
JJ paid almost $4,000 of the demanded amount and will not be able to get it back. Though the emails and caller ID appeared to be from correct agencies, everything was fake.
“They sent me documents that looked legit, legal, and on point, basically, I got got with the get got, and I’m not gullible,” JJ said.
Stassi said these are professional scammers likely targeting thousands of people simultaneously.
“It’s a scam until it’s not, and just telling you, we don’t do business like this,” Stassi said.
JJ urged others to learn from his experience.
“Please don’t let it happen to you because it happened to me, and I feel like an idiot,” he said.
Officials said scammers cannot fake the pressure they put on victims to act fast. When someone demands immediate payment to avoid arrest, residents should trust their instincts.
to report a typo. Please include the headline.
to subscribe to our WAFB 9 News daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Watch the latest WAFB news and weather now.
Copyright 2025 WAFB. All rights reserved.
