I am a registrant in Virginia and went through a terrible scam this morning that clearly is targeting registrants due to the availability of public information on us. I have filed a police report and it is being investigated. I was contacted by individuals early this morning who were posing as Sheriff's in Virginia. 

They stated there were multiple arrest warrants out on me for registry non-compliance. They said I needed to post bail immediately or face arrest.  To post bond, I was instructed to purchase prepaid gift cards (Google Play) for thousands of dollars at local stores and provide them with the redemption codes so that my bond could be posted. 

I complied out of fear, intimidation and confusion factors they employed. Once I provided them the needed redemption codes (after hours of running around stores to purchase prepaid cards) I was told I could return home and not have to report to the County Sheriffs office until later this evening. I immediately went to my local police station and reported what I suspected to be a scam.  The local police office confirmed that there were no warrants for my arrest, and directed me to file a financial crimes report because what I experienced was not appropriate law enforcement procedure. 

I have spent hours canceling credit cards and filing reports, but certainly relieved there are no actual warrants.  While I look back at what now seems like a fraudulent act, they were very adept at making believe I was facing jail and court time if I didn't do what they asked.  My offense happened many years ago when I was young, and I have a family now -- I wanted to do everything possible to avoid jail to limit any affect on my family, so I fell for their scam and manipulation tactics.

Please pass on the details of this scam to others who may be preyed upon by the same or a similar situation. I hope this will prevent others from going through such an ordeal.

DO NOT PANIC! ASK FOR A CALL-BACK NUMBER - IF THEY GIVE YOU ONE TELL THEM YOU WILL VERIFY WITH A DEPUTY YOU KNOW AT THE POLICE STATION AND CALL THEM BACK. 

HANG UP! CLEAR THE LINE AND CALL THE POLICE TO REPORT!