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Caller Impersonating Deputy, Demanding 'Jury Duty' Fee

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office is warning residents of a scam in which a caller impersonates a deputy and tricks victims into paying a hefty fee for failing to serve jury duty.

The sheriff's office says the scammer often uses the name Lieutenant John Roberts. He tells his potential victims that they have failed to serve jury duty time and that they could be arrested unless they pay a fee.

The fee is usually several hundred dollars, and the caller asks that it be paid via a pre-paid credit card.

Anyone who's spoken with this person is asked to get as much information on the scammer as possible and call the Special Investigations Unit at 651-266-9383.

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