Possible Internet/Fax Scam In Calaveras County

Calaveras County, CA — The Calaveras County Sheriff´s Department is encouraging all County residents to become aware of what Sheriff Dennis Downum calls an obvious scam.

Several families have received either an email of fax sent by an individual stating to be the Director of Project Implementation, of a South Africa Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources is requesting assistance in “laundering” a large sum of money.

In return, the Ministry is claiming that the residents will receive 20% of more than $17 million.

Downum says the idea is too good to be true, and with identity theft on the rise in Calaveras County, he would like everyone to be suspicious of this type of mail.

If you receive the email or fax, the Sheriff´s Department is asking you not to follow through with the request to contact the sender.

For more information about the possible scam, or other suspicious emails you can contact the Sheriff´s department´s crime prevention unit.