Webb County officials debunk COVID rumor, warn of jail scam

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A viral social media post claiming COVID-19 is spreading rapidly through the Webb County Jail is not true, according to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials said scammers are using the rumor to target Laredo families.

The sheriff’s office said only three inmates currently have the virus. Those inmates are isolated in negative-pressure cells to stop any spread.

Sheriff Martin Cuellar warned that scammers are calling families and pretending to be bondsmen. The callers demand Cash App payments for an inmate’s release, claiming the jail is highly infected.

Officials reminded the public that the jail will never call to demand cash for release. Officials asked anyone who receives a scam call to report it immediately.

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