Tampa Man Loses Hundreds in Law Enforcement Impersonation Scam

A Tampa man says he lost approximately $800 after being targeted by scammers who impersonated the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to orchestrate a fraudulent arrest threat [1]. The victim, Derek Haydt, reported that he was coerced into withdrawing his own cash and depositing it into a cryptocurrency ATM under the false pretense of resolving an active warrant [2].

Key takeaways

• Scammers used forged documents featuring official-looking seals and case numbers to convince the victim of their legitimacy [1].
• The caller kept the victim on the phone for nearly one hour and 45 minutes, instructing him to leave work and visit a crypto kiosk [2].
• The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office confirms that deputies never demand payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers [1].
• Nationally, reported losses from crypto-ATM schemes reached approximately $333 million in 2025 [1].

The mechanics of the deception

The incident began with an unexpected phone call during the victim's workday [2]. The caller claimed to be with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and alleged that Haydt had missed a court appearance, resulting in an active warrant for his arrest [2]. To bolster the ruse, the scammers sent digital documents to Haydt’s phone that appeared to be legitimate court paperwork, complete with case numbers and delivery records [1]. Haydt described the experience as feeling entirely real, noting that he was shaking in his car while following the caller's step-by-step instructions [2].

The scam concluded after Haydt deposited about $800 into a Bitcoin ATM at a South Tampa gas station [1]. He only realized he had been defrauded when the phone call abruptly disconnected [2]. Following the loss, Haydt filed a police report and established a GoFundMe page to attempt to recover his funds [1].

Why it matters

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns that scammers are increasingly utilizing AI-generated content, spoofed phone numbers, and forged documents to create a sense of urgency that prevents victims from verifying information [1]. Because cryptocurrency transactions are often irreversible and difficult to trace, these kiosks have become a preferred tool for fraudsters [2].

Authorities and consumer protection experts emphasize that the most effective defense is to hang up immediately if a caller demands payment through unconventional methods like crypto ATMs or gift cards [1]. Residents are encouraged to independently verify any claims of legal trouble by contacting the relevant agency directly using an official, publicly listed phone number rather than one provided by the caller [2]. Victims of such schemes are urged to report the incident to local law enforcement, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the Federal Trade Commission [1].