Brookline Police Imposters Demand Money From Residents To Avoid Jail

BROOKLINE, MA — Scammers posing as Brookline police officers — and even making phone calls appear like they are coming from a BPD number — are threatening jail time for residents who don't send money.

Brookline police warned of the latest scam in which scammers purporting to be officers say they have documents for the residents and provide a separate number for them to call. When the victim responds, they're instructed to send money via cryptocurrency or risk jail time.

Police said the scammers use a technique called "ID spoofing" to make it seem like the call is coming from the Brookline Police Department.

"If you ever receive a call like this, first confirm what police department they’re calling from and what their name is," police said. "Next, inform the person you'll call the main dispatch number of that police department and if they are who they claim to be, the call taker will put them in touch. This will usually render the scammer stymied and the scam attempt will be over.

"Remember, a police department will never solicit money over the phone or otherwise. If you have any questions about the legitimacy of a call from law enforcement or other government official, you can always confirm who they are by calling the agency's main phone number. And again, never give personal information to anyone over the phone."