Scammer sends $4,000 check to police in Washington

[February 04, 2010]  RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) -- Not even the police are immune from those offers of free money from African countries that are really scams.

Richland police could use another $4,000, but the department wasn't tempted by the cashier's check it received Friday in the mail from the country of Benin. Officer Erica Tungesvik said officers immediately recognized it as a bogus attempt to learn bank account information if the check were deposited.

An officer wrote up a report on the incident and Tungesvik said it serves as a reminder that if the police can be the target of such a scam, anyone can.

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Information from: Tri-City Herald,
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/

[Associated Press]

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