Georgia Man Arrested for Impersonating Police in Phone Scam
A Georgia man, Christopher Mathews, 31, was arrested and is now facing numerous felony charges for impersonating a Tuscaloosa County sheriff’s lieutenant in a phone scam targeting unsuspecting victims. Mathews allegedly scammed one victim out of $1,500 by posing as an officer and threatening arrest for missing jury duty if immediate payment wasn’t made.
Mathews instructed the victim to buy $1,500 worth of MoneyPak cards and share the card details over the phone. Soon after, the victim realized they had been duped and reported the scam to authorities. This case sparked a six-month investigation led by Sgt. Josh Hastings, resulting in the identification and eventual arrest of Mathews.
The scammer is now facing charges for nine counts of impersonating a police officer, identity theft, and second-degree theft of property. Authorities remind the public that no legitimate law enforcement agency will ever call asking for money to resolve warrants.
If you receive such a call, hang up immediately and report the incident to local law enforcement using a verified, non-emergency line. Scammers often use tactics like MoneyPak cards to drain funds, leaving victims with no recourse.