Telephone scam victimizing locals

Local law enforcement agencies have issued a release regarding a telephone scam that may be occurring in the area. The scam involves telephone calls in which the caller requests that a fee be sent to a Canadian address that will in turn allow for the release of prize money owed to the recipient of the call. The suspects who make the calls claim that they are representatives from Publisher's Clearinghouse, and requires that a wire transfer of approximately $1,000 be sent to Canada in order to release prize money.

On Aug. 26 a victim of this scam reported that in July he had received a call and had sent approximately $5,000 to the specified address. Detectives for the Washoe County Sheriff's Office have begun an investigation into this case and have advised the FBI. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Chris Banks at 328-3320 or Secret Witness at 322-4900.