The Maine Department of Public Safety has become aware of a telephone scam targeting New England-based registered sex offenders. Multiple registered sex offenders in Maine have received suspicious phone calls during which they were threatened with arrest for failure to comply.

According to DPS, in a news release, reports have stated that the callers utilized a Maine area code and demanded that the victims purchase one or more pre-paid cards in lieu of being arrested. The callers also identified themselves as government officials, and in some instances, used the names of local law enforcement personnel.

“This is the same scam that occurred in February 2020 where sex offenders in New England were targeted, threatened with noncompliance, and ordered to pay in gift cards to avoid being arrested,” said DPS.

If you receive a similar call or have been scammed, please contact your local law enforcement agency to file a report.