Newark, N.J. – Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones are urging the public to remain vigilant following reports of a bail scam targeting the families recently arrested individuals. Scammers are posing as law enforcement officers, attorneys, or court personnel and demanding bail payments through mobile payment apps such…

What happened

Newark, N.J. – Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N.

Scammers are posing as law enforcement officers, attorneys, or court personnel and demanding bail payments through mobile payment apps such as Apple Pay and Zelle.

Key details

One victim reported sending over $11,000 via Zelle.

Anyone who believes they have been targeted by this scam is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

Background and context

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What officials said

We want to remind the public that with the advent of criminal justice reform in New Jersey, bail is a thing of the past in virtually all instances.

Anyone who receives a call demanding bail payments, should not send money–it is a scam”, Prosecutor Stephens said.

What happens next

While bail may be required in certain cases, no legitimate request for payment will ever be made through Apple Pay, Zelle, or any other digital platform.

All calls will be kept confidential.

Legal note: Charges and allegations are accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Source and attribution: Jersey Alerts reviewed the primary official release from Essex County Prosecutor and any additional sources identified above. Names, dates, figures, quotations, claims and characterizations remain attributed to their cited source unless Jersey Alerts states that they were independently confirmed.

Read the official release