According to information provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), a scam is present within Wyoming where people are being presented with fraudulent federal warrants and asked to pay fines to clear it up.

“In a recent case in Wyoming, the targeted victim received a copy of a warrant via text message, saying there was a warrant for her arrest because she failed to appear as a prospective juror,” the FBI information stated. “The warrant on the face appears to be a legitimate document, with a case number, date stamp, seal of the United States District Court for Wyoming and a judge’s signature. But this is a scam.”

FBI officials stated that in a real federal warrant scenario, a federal officer will serve a federal warrant in person, or you might receive it by certified mail.

“You will NEVER receive a copy of a federal warrant via regular U.S. mail, and especially not via email or via text,” they stated.

One victim in Wyoming followed instructions received via the scam text and lost more than $10,000.

The FBI is reminding the public to be vigilant and never share personal identifying information with a caller with whom you have not initiated contact or have not verified as legitimate.

“To check out someone who purports to be from the FBI, find the phone number of the local FBI field office and call that number directly. The field office will verify any legitimate contact.”

The closest FBI Field Office is located at 5425 West Amelia Earhart Drive in Salt Lake City. The phone number for that office is (801) 579-1400.  Tips can also be sent to tips.fbi.gov. 

You can do the same with other federal law enforcement agencies.

If you have questions about the validity of an arrest warrant, call the clerk of court for the court identified on the warrant. They can verify if the warrant is legitimate.

No government agency at any level will ask you to pay in gift cards, gold or cryptocurrency.

If you think you have been a victim of this scam, report it at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.