Police in the Midwest say the latest scam starts with a call no one wants to get. You pick up and hear someone who sounds like a relative, but their voice is muffled. They claim they just got into a car accident, they’ve been arrested, and they need help fast. Blurred hysteria does the rest.

According to Detective Weston of the Cortland Police Department in Ohio, residents keep getting these calls from impostors posing as family members involved in a crash.

The caller says they’ve been detained after hitting a federal agent

Cortland police explained that the caller passes along contact information for an “attorney” who handles the bail process.

One of the recent numbers being used is 346-404-3682. It’s tied to an alleged attorney going by the name Mike Richards. Once called, he gives a case number and demands $18,000 in bond money. He then instructs the victim to tell the bank the money is for a vacation, supposedly to keep the relative’s photo out of the news.

It’s a high-pressure setup designed to keep you scared and quiet.

The scam hinges on speed before anyone has time to verify details.

Police urge residents to hit pause and call them first if they receive anything like this

Never wire funds or follow banking instructions from someone you don’t know, even if they sound convincing. Don’t let fear override basic verification.

This kind of scam likely targets older relatives, especially those thinking of young drivers in the family. It’s emotionally manipulative and financially damaging. The quickest way to shut it down is to loop in law enforcement immediately.

If a loved one is truly in trouble, police will confirm it. If they aren’t, you just saved 18 grand.