Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Businessman Targeted In Attempted Scam

   A local businessman reported to law enforcement officials last week that he had apparently been targeted in connection with a scam attempt.

   The Ethridge resident reported Friday to Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputies that he runs a business from his home through which he collects payments for other companies.

   On Friday, the victim indicated he received four Visa traveler’s checks for $500 each. The checks were delivered by Federal Express. The victim indicated that he also received instructions via email to cash the checks, keep $200, then forward the remainder to Dr. Maurice Harris. The victim told deputies that he spoke over the telephone with an individual claiming to be Dr. Harris and was given the same instructions verbally.

   At this point, the victim stated he went to his bank to cash the checks. A bank employee informed him, however, that they would be unable to cash them due to the fact that the documents bore no purchaser’s signature.

   The victim told deputies that, afterwards, he had compared the checks to sample checks on the internet and had determined “that the checks were possibly counterfeit.”

   The checks were taken into evidence as investigation into the matter continues through the department’s Criminal Investigation Division.