Police investigate phone scam, caller claims to be from sheriff’s office

Myrtle Beach police are investigating a phone scam involving a man claiming to be with the Horry County Sheriff’s Department.

A woman reported to police that she received a call from a man claiming to be an Horry County sheriff.

According to the police report, the caller told her she was wanted on a federal warrant because she missed federal jury duty in Charleston.

The suspect then told the victim to go to Food Lion and purchase gift cards in the amount of $2,798.92 and mail them to him, according to the police report.

The caller went on to tell her that she could get the money back by going to the sheriff’s office after she mailed the cards and gave him the card numbers and pin numbers, according to the report.

The victim, did as she was told, before contacting police. After she filed the police report, she returned to Food Lion and was able to have the cards blocked and deactivated, according to the police report.

This story was originally published May 3, 2015 at 8:46 AM with the headline "Police investigate phone scam, caller claims to be from sheriff’s office."