The Great Bend Police Department is urging local residents to be on the lookout for fraud and want to remind them that law enforcement would never request money to be sent on gift cards in lieu of being arrested. The GBPD issued these reminders in light of two recent incidents.

First, at approximately 8:30 p.m. Monday, the department received a report from a citizen of fraud involving a person who allegedly had been arrested over the previous weekend and had posted bond to be released from the Barton County Jail. 

The victim received a call from an unknown subject who identified themselves as an employee of a bonding company. The caller advised that the victim had violated the bond conditions and demanded $1,000 in gift cards or the victim would be arrested again.

Then, at approximately 6 a.m. Tuesday, the police received another fraud report. 

Someone had also been arrested during the previous weekend and posted bond to be released. This time, the victim received a call from an unknown person who identified themselves as a sergeant with the GBPD. The caller advised the victim that they had not posted enough bond money and demanded $1,000 in gift cards or the victim would be arrested again.

These incidents are being investigated for criminal charges to be filed.  

If anyone has any information about these crimes, or any other crime, contact Crime Stoppers at 620-92-1300 or the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120.