Teen Arrested for $5,000 Phone Scam Impersonating Police Officers
Finn's Take· TL;DR- Teen charged with extortion after impersonating police officer and defrauding victim of $5,000 via phone call.
- Scammers increasingly pose as law enforcement demanding payment for warrants or fines using urgency and real officer names.
- Real police never call demanding immediate payment; hang up and verify caller identity independently to avoid fraud.
The Scam Operation
A 19-year-old woman from Griffin, Kaylia Folds, was arrested and charged with extortion after allegedly orchestrating a phone scam that defrauded a Perry woman of $5,000 . The victim received a call from someone identifying themselves as "Officer Mims" with the Houston County Sheriff's Office in November 2025 .
The phone call was eventually transferred to a supposed captain who became more aggressive with the woman, threatening her with charges of eluding if she hung up . Under pressure, the victim transferred approximately $5,000 via Apple Cash and deposited a portion of the funds into a cryptocurrency kiosk .
Folds was booked into the Houston County Jail on felony charges of theft by extortion and faces up to 10 years behind bars . While the victim reported the scam just two days after it occurred, the arrest wasn't made until months later .
Growing Pattern of Law Enforcement Impersonation
The proliferation of phone scams has prompted law enforcement agencies like the Houston County Sheriff's Office to issue warnings about scam calls, particularly those claiming to come from law enforcement agencies, though scammers also present themselves as banks, businesses, utility companies, and other public-facing organizations .
The Warner Robins Police Department has received multiple reports of scammers calling Houston County residents about unpaid fines, warrants, or legal problems, with callers impersonating law firms, medical offices, and sheriff's deputies, even using the names of actual deputies . After creating urgency and alarm, these scammers then request financial information from their targets .
This case represents part of a broader trend affecting Central Georgia, where similar schemes have netted significant sums from unsuspecting residents who trust official-sounding callers.
Red Flags and Warning Signs
The Houston County Sheriff's Office emphasizes that "nor any other law enforcement agency will ever call you and tell you that you have a warrant for your arrest" and "will never request payment for bonds, fines, or fees over the telephone" .
Common warning signs include urgent calls or messages demanding immediate payment, requests for gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency, with scammers relying on panic and urgency to make victims overlook red flags . Authorities urge residents not to share personal or financial information over the phone and to hang up to verify that callers are legitimate .
The sophisticated nature of these scams, including the use of real officer names and official-sounding procedures, demonstrates how criminals are adapting their tactics to exploit public trust in law enforcement. As these schemes become more elaborate, community awareness and education remain the strongest defenses against financial fraud targeting vulnerable residents.