Saline County – A local resident has reported a scam involving a person falsely claiming to be a deputy from the Saline County Sheriff’s Department. The victim stated that between September 2 and 3, 2024, they received a phone call from an individual posing as "Deputy Sandlin." The caller threatened the victim with arrest unless they transferred a payment in bitcoin.
Believing the threat to be legitimate, the victim went to an undisclosed store and purchased $1,000 worth of bitcoin, which was subsequently sent to the imposter. Afterward, the scammer contacted the victim again, demanding additional funds. The victim, stating they only had $622 left, was coerced into sending the remaining amount. In total, the victim lost $1,622.
Authorities have confirmed that no one named Deputy Sandlin is employed by the Saline County Sheriff’s Department, and they reiterated that sheriff’s departments do not accept payments via bitcoin or other unconventional means.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant against similar scams and to report suspicious activity to law enforcement. The incident remains under investigation.