MURFREESBORO, TN — In what must be a bold new recruiting tactic (or just your standard run-of-the-mill scam), a Rutherford County resident received a text from a so-called “Lt. Brian Gregory” asking her to return a call regarding a “confidential legal matter.” One might call the situation a bit mysterious, while others may call it flat out thrilling. But, it is neither of the two and instead - - it was completely made up. And here’s the other small hitch in this cloak-and-dagger drama: Lt. Brian Gregory doesn’t even exist, at least there is not one with law enforcement in our immediate area.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that not only is there no one by that name on staff, but deputies also don’t go around texting strangers cryptic messages like they’re auditioning for a role in NCIS: Catfish Edition.

The real officials at the local sheriff’s office ask that residents resist the urge to fall for this type of scam. According to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, they don’t text people to lure them into fake legal drama. They have actual legal drama to deal with.

To the credit of the would-be victim, she did not call back the scammer. Perhaps she realized that most legal matters don’t begin with a random text from a made-up lieutenant, and most government officials don’t demand secret conversations like cartoon villains.

So, next time someone claiming to be from law enforcement texts you out of the blue and promises classified intrigue, do yourself a favor—hit delete and go back to ignoring the other 73 spam texts you got today.