According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, the…

According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, the Sheriff’s Office has recently learned about a current scam in which victims are receiving a telephone call from somebody representing themself as “Sgt. Cooper” with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office. During the call, the victims are told that a warrant has been issued for them for not providing updated photos and DNA samples and that they can pay a bond that will keep them out of jail. In at least one known case, the caller left a voicemail message to contact Sgt. Cooper at a given number and they heard an automated directory that sounded official and used the Sheriff’s Office name and address in the greeting.

Please be advised that this is a scam and that there is no one at the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office named Sgt. Cooper. The Sheriff’s Office would also like to inform the public that no warrants or charges can be resolved by making a payment over the phone and that no law enforcement agency is going to ask you to put money on any type of gift card as payment for pending legal issues. If you get a call of this nature or are concerned that you may be involved in a scam, hang up and call the Sheriff’s Office directly at (315) 736-0141 before you take any further action.

The known cases have been sent to the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Unit for investigation, and we are urging anyone with additional information to call (315) 765-2786.