Billings Police Warn of Ongoing Phone Scam Targeting Residents

The phone rings. A voice on the other end says your loved one is in jail and can be released, but only if you pay up right now. It sounds terrifying. It’s also completely fake.

The Billings Police Department is warning residents about a phone scam that has already victimized people in the community, urging them not to fall for the high-pressure tactic.

Scammer Pretends to Be Jail Official

According to police, several residents have reported receiving calls from someone claiming to be a ranking official at the Yellowstone County Detention Center.

READ MORE: 14 Arrested in Yellowstone County: Here’s Who and Why

The caller identifies himself as “Lt. Mullen,” a name that sounds authoritative and official. There’s just one problem: no one by that name works at the facility.

Victims Told to Pay to “Release” Loved Ones

Once the scammer has the victim’s attention, the pitch is simple: pay a fee, and your friend or family member walks free.

The demands are urgent and can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

Victims are instructed to send payment through cryptocurrency or digital apps like Zelle or Cash App, methods that are difficult to trace and nearly impossible to reverse.

To make the story more convincing, the caller may add specific details, telling victims the detained person will be released on an ankle monitor and placed in a program. They may even promise to refund the money. It won’t be.

Police: No Legitimate Agency Will Ever Call You for Money

Law enforcement is being direct: no legitimate jail, court, or police agency will ever call you and demand money over the phone to release an inmate or pay fines. If you receive a call like this, it is a scam, full stop.

What to Do If You Get the Call

If you receive one of these calls, hang up. Don’t send money, don’t engage, and don’t give out any personal information. After you hang up, report the call to your local law enforcement agency. The more reports police receive, the better equipped they are to track the scam and protect others.

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Warn Your Neighbors, Especially the Vulnerable

Scams like this are designed to trigger panic. When you believe someone you love is behind bars, rational thinking can go out the window, and scammers know it. Taking even a few seconds to pause, breathe, and verify the story with official channels could save you thousands of dollars.

If you have family or friends in the Billings area, particularly older adults or others who may be more susceptible to these tactics, share this story with them. It could make all the difference.