HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
HILO PATROL
OFFICER CHRIS CORREIA
PHONE: 961-2213
DECEMBER 14, 2006
MEDIA RELEASE
Big >Island> police are warning residents about foreign check scams that could result in the victim being accused of passing counterfeit checks.
Individuals from foreign countries have been soliciting Big Island residents through the Internet and newspaper classified ads that offer a business opportunity. The scam artist sends the victim an authentic-looking counterfeit check and asks the victim to deposit it in the victim’s own bank account. The victim is then asked to keep part of the money as a fee for helping and to send the balance to the scam artist.
In one case, a victim was send a check for $16,000 and told to keep $1,600 and send the balance. The $16,000 check was later determined to be counterfeit.
Police ask anyone who receives such an offer or an unsolicited check from someone unknown to call the Hilo Patrol Section at 961-2218.
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