Alpena County Sheriff Issues Urgent Warning Over Exploitative COVID-19 Jail Release Bond Scams

Alpena County authorities warn of a new scam using fake COVID-19 outbreaks to trick families into paying inmate bonds with gift cards.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 7:21 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Alpena News

Exploitation of Family Ties in Local Fraud Schemes

Law enforcement officials in Alpena County have identified a disturbing trend where scammers are weaponizing the emotional distress of families with incarcerated relatives. By accessing publicly available jail rosters, these bad actors identify specific inmates and then cross-reference online tools to locate their contactable family members. The Alpena County Sheriff’s Office reports that these predators often fabricate high-stakes scenarios to bypass the logical defenses of their targets, relying on the natural desire of people to protect their loved ones during times of legal uncertainty.

Fabricated Health Crises Used to Manufacture Urgency

In recent incidents, the fraudulent calls have centered on a false narrative involving a COVID-19 outbreak within the correctional facility. The scammers inform the victims that due to the supposed medical emergency, inmates are eligible for immediate release, provided a bond is paid instantly. This tactic creates an artificial sense of panic, pushing the recipient to act quickly without verifying the claims with official sources. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the urgency is a calculated move to prevent victims from contacting the jail directly to confirm the status of their family member’s health or legal standing.

Retail Intervention Prevents Financial Losses

The success of these operations was recently thwarted by the vigilance of local retail employees who recognized the hallmark signs of a gift card scam. In one documented case, an individual attempted to purchase large quantities of gift cards at Walmart and Walgreens, but staff members intervened and denied the transaction. The Sheriff’s Office has publicly extended its gratitude to these employees, acknowledging that their professional diligence prevented a resident from suffering a significant financial blow. These retail chains have become an unintentional front line in the fight against elder and affinity fraud.