(La Porte County, IN) - There’s now a phone scam targeting convicted sex offenders.  According to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, registered sex offenders have been receiving calls.

A man posing as “Sergeant Novak” says a new DNA sample needs to be collected from the offender and the cost  is $1,000.  Police say instructions are given on how to transfer the funds on prepaid money cards.

Fees are not collected for DNA samples and no one named Sergeant Novak works at the sheriff’s office, police said.