Imposters posing as law enforcement targeting Portage County residents
Scammers use fake warrants and threats of arrest to steal money
PORTAGE COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) — Scammers posing as federal agents and law enforcement officers have been targeting residents in Portage County, threatening arrest and demanding payment to avoid jail.
Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski recently posted an alert about the scam on his department’s Facebook page.
He said one Portage County resident sent $18,000 to a Venmo account after being contacted by the scammers.
“They prey upon a lot of the elderly people,” Zuchowski said.
Fake warrants, fake forms
The scammers create fake arrest warrants that appear official and send fake federal forms claiming victims have missed court dates or violated court orders.
Zuchowski said the documents include the names of real employees at the Portage County Sheriff’s Office to make them appear more credible.
“They’ll put my sheriff’s name on it or a captain or major — real people that work here,” Zuchowski said. “And so, it makes it more believable.”
Former deputy’s employee targeted
Zuchowski said a former deputy recently called him in a panic after someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer threatened one of the deputy’s employees by phone.
“He says from the Portage County Sheriff’s Office, we’re coming right now and we’re going to surround the building and we’re going to pull you out at gunpoint,” Zuchowski said.
Nothing came of the threat.
What to do if you’re contacted
Zuchowski said his deputies serve warrants in person only — never by phone, mail, or email.
He said law enforcement does not contact people asking for payments or personal information like Social Security numbers.
“No government agency ever asks for money over the phone,” Zuchowski said.
Residents who receive a QR code from a caller are also being warned that it is a sign of a scam.
Anyone contacted by one of these scammers is urged to hang up and call the Portage County Sheriff’s Office to verify.
“These people are just total scumbags taking advantage of people,” Zuchowski said.
Need an investigation? Contact 19 Investigates with your request.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
