Suffolk police warn of phone scammers posing as cops

Suffolk County police are warning residents of a phone scam where predators, posing as police officers, threaten arrest unless money is sent.

Police said two people sent more than $1,000 each through payment apps or money transfers through different scams.

The scammers claimed to be the Suffolk County chief of police, and that the victim either had an outstanding warrant or was about to be issued a warrant unless they paid.

The victims said the calls appeared to come from police department phone numbers, but police said scammers can often use “spoofing apps” to disguise or mirror their phone numbers.

Suffolk County police said officers will never demand money to avoid an arrest.

Police said anyone who suspects they may have been a victim of a scam to notify authorities.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.