Gwinnett County Man Arrested in $1,350 Jury Duty Scam

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A man has been arrested in Gwinnett County, Georgia, accused of defrauding a resident out of $1,350 in a sophisticated jury duty scam. The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest on March 5th, highlighting the growing threat of such schemes targeting citizens.

Garrett Thompson, the suspect, allegedly contacted a victim posing as “Officer Shepherd,” claiming the individual had an issue related to jury duty. Thompson demanded $1,350 as payment to avoid arrest and instructed the victim to remit the funds to a specific phone number. The victim complied, sending the money as directed. Fortunately, investigators were able to trace the phone number back to Thompson.

Upon investigation, the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office Jail Intelligence Unit identified Thompson as the perpetrator. He reportedly confessed to receiving the fraudulent funds and was taken into custody without incident. The specific charges against Thompson have not yet been publicly released.

How the Scam Worked

The scam preyed on the victim’s fear of legal repercussions. By impersonating a law enforcement officer, Thompson created a sense of urgency and authority, compelling the victim to pay immediately. This tactic is common in many fraud schemes, exploiting individuals’ trust in official institutions.

Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office Warns Residents

The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to remain vigilant and aware of potential scams. A spokesperson emphasized, “The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office never requests payment over the phone to resolve jury duty matters or any other legal issues.”

Key Takeaways to Protect Yourself:

• Never pay fines or fees over the phone. Legitimate law enforcement agencies will not demand immediate payment via phone.
• Verify the caller’s identity. If you receive a suspicious call, independently verify the caller’s identity by contacting the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office directly at https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/web/gwinnett/departments/sheriff.
• Be wary of threats. Scammers often use threats of arrest or legal action to pressure victims.
• Report suspicious calls. Report any suspicious calls to your local law enforcement agency and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities are currently investigating whether Thompson is connected to other similar scams in Gwinnett County or elsewhere. The Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information related to this case or other potential fraud schemes to come forward.

Source: This information is based on a press release from the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office.