Scam Warning

As police and sheriff’s departments around Rutherford County announce a scam has or

is occurring in their county, we make sure we make our citizens aware of the latest

scam.

Sadly, a woman in North Carolina was scammed out of $3,500 and reports say by a

woman who pretended to be a police officer. This is a scam we have warned our

listeners about numerous times. The scam is where people call claiming to be deputies

or police officers. Many times, they will use an officer’s name that is recognizable. They

will claim there is a warrant for your arrest due to missing jury duty, or you have an

unpaid ticket.

Reports say Diamond Kiera Ellis allegedly called a lady claiming to be “Sgt Walker: with

the sheriff’s office. And reports say Ellis used the usual tactic to con the Pitt County

woman out of her money by threatening to arrest the woman if she did not pay.

The arrest warrant was issued in December 2025. Ellis turned herself in on February

16. As most scammers do not live in the area they are calling, court documents show

Ellis lives in Georgia.

Ellis was charged with obtaining property by false pretense and impersonating law

enforcement. She was booked into the Pitt County jail and released after posting a

$10,000 bond. Please remember, police and deputies will not call you demanding

money or threaten you to send money to avoid arrest. If you receive a call hang up

immediately. Contact local law enforcement and give them the number they called you

from. Please do not give out any of your personal information.