A new scam case has come to light involving fake calls pretending to be from law enforcement. Authorities are warning people to stay alert after a suspect was arrested for tricking victims using personal information and fear tactics.
Man Arrested in Police Impersonation Scam
A 22-year-old man, Donovan Kobie Baptiste, has been arrested for allegedly pretending to be part of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office in scam phone calls.
He was taken into custody on April 29 and is facing several charges, including bank fraud, fraudulent portrayal of law enforcement, access device fraud, and theft.
How the Scam Worked
According to deputies, the suspect contacted a victim using a blocked number and claimed to be a law enforcement officer. He even used the name of a real officer, Sergeant Michael Thomas, to make the call seem genuine.
To build trust, he used personal details about the victim’s family, such as names, birthdays, and addresses. This made the situation appear real and urgent.
He then told the victim that a family member had been arrested and needed a $7,000 bond to be released. The victim was later connected to another person pretending to be a bail bondsman.
The caller instructed the victim to send 10% of the bond amount, which is $700, through digital payment apps like Apple Pay, PayPal, and Cash App.
Investigation and Arrest
The scam was exposed when deputies confirmed that no such arrest or bond existed. After this, an investigation was launched.
Authorities tracked the suspect and identified Baptiste as the person behind the calls. He was located in Georgia and arrested with the help of local law enforcement.
He was later brought to Louisiana for booking and has since been released on a $25,000 bond.
Warning to the Public
Officials are urging people to be careful about such scams. If you receive a call claiming to be from police asking for money, do not trust it immediately.
Always hang up and contact your local police department using an official phone number to verify the information. Law enforcement agencies do not ask for payments over phone calls or digital apps.
