ST. MARTINVILLE, La. (KLFY) -- A popular phone scam has come to St. Martinville.

St. Martinville Police Chief Ricky Martin said calls have been reported from someone claiming to be from their agency asking for money to clear active arrest warrants. He says some residents have described the person on the phone as someone with a "middle eastern accent."

"They call them from the 3001 number and then they tell them you need you call back on this (other) number when you get these credit cards, these gift cards, or when you get the money order, or they giving them somewhere to mail their money order to," Martin said.

Martin said the scam began last week. He said these scammers are using the police department's phone number to tell people they have an arrest warrant in place. The scammer asks for gift cards, money orders or credit/debit card information to dismiss the warrant.

Martin said the scam is still happening, causing some people to pay large amounts, some as high as $2,000.

"I mean, for an old person, people that's living on fixed incomes, that's a lot of money," Martin said.

He said the department is still unsure of where the scam is coming from, but if you call the police department, they will confirm if the "warrant" actually exists.

"That number still is active, that's our main number, so if you call that number, it's going to ring at the police department," said Martin.

If you receive a call from a possible scammer requesting money or stating you have a warrant for your arrest, notify the police department immediately at 337-394-3001.

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