Apparently, before this scam hit the Tennessee area about two weeks ago, it had been happening elsewhere for several years. Supposedly, the criminals will evaluate information on Facebook and other media sites with people’s detailed information, as well as the information of the proposed “inmate.”

The order events begin with a phone call. The fake law enforcement officer will call, requesting a specific amount of money to be wired to another jurisdiction, state or even country.

Sheriff Burgess stated, “If someone calls you asking for a bond, you need to check. Call the law enforcement agency directly and see if that person has been arrested.”

Furthermore, if you receive a phone call such as this, get all the information you can before you even think of sending any money. You can always confirm with the jail in question that the defendant is in fact there.

At Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds, we have a fan page. As of today (Facebook tells me), you can either “Become a Fan” or “Like” our page. We invite you to do that:

Case and point, one Rodney Bradford – arrested and jailed for robbery. But his lawyer brought about a good argument after he was arrested. How could Mr. Bradford be at the location that was robbed when at that exact very moment, Rodney was updating his status on his Facebook page?

Rodney had important things to say like, “Where my IHOP?” messaging his pregnant girlfriend and referring to his pancakes.  Seems his Facebook update was generated from a computer located within his fathers Harlem apartment.  The update was listed exactly one minute prior to the robbery in a public housing apartment in Brooklyn.

I guess Facebook was the exact flavor of syrup Rodney needed for his pancakes that day. I prefer maple myself…