Delaware law enforcement authorities are issuing warnings about a deceptive scheme targeting local residents as 2026 begins, with criminals posing as court officials to steal money and personal information.
Officials report receiving multiple complaints about fraudsters contacting people through various communication methods, falsely informing them they failed to appear for required jury service. The criminals claim victims now face serious legal consequences, including failure-to-appear violations or contempt-of-court penalties.
According to authorities, some of these fraudulent communications specifically impersonate the New Castle County Sheriff’s Office. The scammers often include fake official documents in their messages, with some containing QR codes designed to add legitimacy to their deceptive claims and create urgency among potential victims.
Law enforcement emphasizes that legitimate court systems do not contact citizens about missed jury duty through unsolicited phone calls, text messages, or emails demanding immediate payment or personal information. Residents who receive such communications should contact their local authorities rather than responding to the scammers.