Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
-Investigative Operations Bureau

PINELLAS COUNTY—The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging the public to be on alert for recent phone call/text message scams.

According to detectives, the suspect is calling or texting family members of inmates in the Pinellas County Jail. The scammer is informing the family members that if they send money via a Bitcoin/Crypto ATM (Cryptocurrency), the inmate will see a judge quicker, or their bail will be lowered. This is a scam!

PLEASE NOTE: The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office will NEVER call or text citizens requesting money over the telephone and will never ask for banking information to wire money. We advise citizens not to give personal information or account information over the phone and call the Sheriff’s Office to report suspicious activity. 

If anyone has information on this scam or has become a victim, they are asked to call the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office at (727) 582-6200.