RCMP are warning residents in Merritt about a rise in phone scams accusing people of attempting to hire sex workers and demanding large sums of money.
Police say the scammers have been threatening people with death and in some cases have texted photographs of firearms and severed human body parts.
Constable Ed Query says the public should immediately block the phone numbers of those that may have requested money in any form, including gift cards, cheques or money orders.
Anyone who has been scammed is being asked to call police.