Rutherford County, TN - Criminals have once again found new ways to exploit technology, using artificial intelligence to mimic the voice of Rutherford County Sheriff’s Capt. Will Holton in a sophisticated scam that cost one resident $7,500.

The victim received a call from someone impersonating Holton, claiming she had an arrest warrant for missing jury duty. To avoid arrest, the scammer convinced her to withdraw $7,500 in cash, warning her not to disclose the reason for the withdrawal to bank tellers. The caller provided a QR code and directed her to deposit the money into a Bitcoin ATM at a local convenience store.

Unaware of the deception, the resident complied, only to visit the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office later that day and discover the scam. Capt. Holton, whose voice was impersonated, emphasized that law enforcement will never request money over the phone for missed jury duty or any arrest-related issue.

“If we need you, we will come to your door in uniform,” Holton assured residents. “Never ever share your information or pay someone over the phone using Bitcoin or any other transaction.”

How the Scam Worked

Detective Jesse Gammel, who is investigating the case, explained that scammers used the Sheriff’s Office dispatch number to make the call appear legitimate. The scammer then directed the victim to deposit the funds at a Bitcoin ATM, converting the cash into digital currency stored in a scammer-controlled digital wallet.

“Within 10 minutes, the digital currency was divided up several times through multiple transactions using several other digital wallets,” Gammel said. “It is unlikely we will be able to recover her money, but we are exploring possible options.”

A Growing Concern

This type of scam highlights the increasing sophistication of criminals using AI and cryptocurrency to exploit unsuspecting victims. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Sheriff’s Office.

“If you receive a call from a Sheriff’s Office number under similar circumstances, it is likely a scam,” Gammel warned.

Authorities remind the public that law enforcement will never demand payments via phone or Bitcoin. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a call, verify the information directly with the Sheriff’s Office before taking any action.