Scammer poses as Broward sheriff, requesting gift cards

Public engagement is part of any sheriff’s job. But when somebody posing as Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony reaches out to request Apple gift cards, it’s not public outreach: It’s a scam.

The scammer targets victims via text, claiming to be the sheriff, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office.

Police are unsure of the scammer’s identity, and BSO’s Threat Management Unit is investigating.

The first scams were reported when two Sheriff’s Office employees received text messages from the imposter. Reports of the scams have since stopped, and no Sheriff’s Office employee has been taken advantage of by the gift card scam, according to BSO investigators.

The Sheriff’s Office urges the public not to respond to the texts and to contact BSO Detective Eric Versteeg at Eric_Versteeg@sheriff.org or by calling BSO’s non-emergency number, 954-764-HELP (4357).