Portland Man Loses $40,000 in Jury Duty Phone Scam

A Multnomah County resident was coerced into depositing large sums of cash at a bitcoin kiosk after threats of arrest.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Financial Crime

Portland Man Loses $40,000 in Jury Duty Phone Scam

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A 79-year-old Portland man lost $40,000 on September 23, 2026, after falling victim to a phone scammer posing as a deputy. The perpetrator successfully intimidated the victim by claiming he faced arrest for missing jury duty.

Why it matters

Scammers often leverage the fear of legal repercussions to pressure victims into making impulsive financial decisions. This incident underscores the importance of verifying official communications through trusted, verified agency channels.

The victim made two separate $20,000 cash withdrawals and deposited the funds into a bitcoin machine. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating the incident following a report filed on September 23.

The players

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office

This is the primary law enforcement agency serving the county that issued a public warning regarding ongoing phone-based impersonation scams.

The details

The scammer instructed the victim to withdraw the money from his bank and move it to a bitcoin kiosk located at a convenience store in Southeast Portland. The incident came to light after a family member reported the victim missing when he failed to return home.

September 23, 2026, marked the day the victim was reported missing.

Legal Context

The scam reflects a broader trend of criminals exploiting the perceived legitimacy of government entities to facilitate untraceable digital payments. This case follows a pattern established by the Federal Trade Commission's Impersonator Rule, which aims to curb deceptive practices involving government impersonation.

Residents should be aware that law enforcement will never demand payment via bitcoin kiosks or threaten immediate arrest over the phone for missed jury duty. Anyone receiving such calls should hang up immediately and contact the Sheriff's Office through an official, verified phone number.

The takeaway

Never provide payment or personal financial information over the phone to anyone claiming to be a law enforcement officer. If you are contacted by someone threatening legal action, verify their identity by calling the agency directly using a number found on their official website.