Phone scammers target Las Cruces, threaten drug ‘cartel’ violence if you don’t deliver money

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- Some Las Cruces businesses and residents are receiving threats from phone callers apparently posing as drug "cartel" members and demanding money, authorities said.

Police issued a warning Wednesday about the ongoing scam involving telephone threats telling the receiver to pay up or face the consequences of being physically harmed.

There is no known link between the phone threats and actual drug cartels, Las Cruces police spokesman Dan Trujillo said.

"No money has been lost and no harm has come to those who failed to comply with the illegal demands," he explained.

Las Cruces police indicated they had received several reports about the threatening calls by scammers recently.

Trujillo offered the following tips for dealing with phone scammers:

• Write down the telephone number of the caller, refrain from responding and hang up.
• If possible, block the phone number or refrain from answering follow-up calls.
• Do not provide personal or financial information, about you or your business, to the caller.
• Do not agree to meet with the caller.
• Do not return calls to the scammer or use any contact details they may provide.
• Do not respond to texts, emails or social media messages. If you do, scammers may escalate their intimidation and their attempts at gaining compliance.
• Do not send money, gift cards, bank card details or online account information to anyone you do not trust.
• Immediately call 911 if you receive a threatening or harassing call.