Earlier this month, I got a call very early in the morning. They left a message claiming that one of my brothers, identified by full name, was in custody and I needed to call them back ASAP. I did not.
Several days later, I found out that my mother and other brother also received the same call around the same time. Mom was the only one who answered, and they told her that he was in custody and they wanted to release him on bail because of overcrowding. Thankfully, she declined and just asked them repeatedly 'why are you calling me so early?'
I had never heard of this scam before, but it was almost convincing. That brother has a record, and it was not outside the realm of possibility that he was actually in jail.
Wondering if anyone else who has relatives who have flirted outside the law have experienced anything like this.