COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning regarding a sophisticated email scam currently targeting local residents.
Fraudsters are sending emails under the name “Jon Frederick” from the address federalssc4@gmail.com, attaching highly deceptive, fraudulent documents bearing fake “Department of Justice” and “United States District Court” seals.
The bogus records falsely claim that recipients are under court orders to maintain constant contact with law enforcement or are legally prohibited from discussing an active case.
Sheriff Fred Blankenship emphasizes that these documents are entirely fake and specifically engineered to intimidate citizens into replying or surrendering sensitive personal information.
Blankenship says residence should remain vigilant and recognize key red flags, noting that legitimate government agencies never conduct official business through generic Gmail accounts, nor do they send documents citing nonexistent laws.
To protect against this threat, residents should closely inspect sender email addresses, refrain from opening unexpected attachments, and immediately delete and report suspicious messages. If you receive a similar high-pressure communication or accompanying phone call, hang up immediately and do not engage.
Anyone with questions or concerns about a potential scam is encouraged to contact the Branch County Sheriff’s Office directly to verify the information before responding.
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