CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The United States Court of the Western District of Virginia has been made aware of a new scam involving fake United States District Court arrest warrants.

The fake arrest warrants claim to be issued for failing to appear for jury duty. They use official looking United States District Courts forms, indicating they were issued by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. A copy of the fake arrest warrant is attached here.

The scammers demand payment by Bitcoin, gift cards, or bank account information to resolve the issue. United States District Courts do not issue arrest warrants for failing to appear for jury duty unless one has actually been summoned for jury duty and failed to appear. Anyone who receives an arrest warrant or other document purportedly from the United States District Courts that demands money, particularly Bitcoin and gift cards with payment by phone, is asked to contact the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia at 540-857-5100 to see if its legitimate.