BEL AIR, Md. — A Harford County couple thought they were speaking with the sheriff's office when a caller nearly convinced them to hand over thousands of dollars. The sophisticated scam included personal details and even spoofed the official agency's phone number.

Nicole and Joe Markland received a call from someone claiming to be an officer with the Harford County Sheriff's Office. The caller told Nicole she missed a court appearance and a judge issued a warrant for her arrest.

"He said that he was an officer with the Harford County Sheriff's Office," Nicole Markland said. "I was supposed to show up as a character witness for a case the day before."

Initially skeptical, Nicole became convinced when the caller provided key details including information about a court case in their commun

See Full Page