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Scammers are forging arrest warrants for missed jury duty, demanding payment in bitcoin and gift cards. They use realistic court-style documents and urgent threats to exploit fear of arrest.
Court Warns of Forged Arrest Warrants Tied to Bitcoin Demands Over Missed Jury Duty
The U.S. District Court of the Western District of Virginia announced on March 21 that a fraudulent scheme involving counterfeit arrest warrants is circulating in the region. The scam, which targets individuals under the guise of missed jury duty, uses forged documents that resemble official U.S. District Court forms and falsely claim to originate from the Eastern District of Virginia.
The court’s statement described how the perpetrators instruct targets to send money using methods that are difficult to trace or reverse. As outlined by officials:
The scammers demand payment by bitcoin, gift cards, or bank account information to resolve the issue.
“Please be advised that the United States district courts do not issue arrest warrants for failing to appear for jury duty unless you actually have been summoned for jury duty and fail to appear,” the court noted. This scam appears to prey on individuals’ fear of legal consequences by presenting forged documents and demanding immediate payment under threat of arrest.
Court officials urged anyone receiving suspicious documents—especially those referencing bitcoin, gift cards, or phone-based payments—to contact the Western District of Virginia directly to verify authenticity. The court warned:
If you receive an arrest warrant or other document purportedly from the United States district courts that demands money, particularly bitcoin and gift cards with payment by phone, please contact the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia to confirm its legitimacy.
With similar scams on the rise nationwide, authorities continue to caution the public against sharing financial information in response to unsolicited legal threats.