Crime & Safety

FCPD Warns Public of 'Inheritance Scam'

Financial Crimes Unit is aware of at least a dozen incidents that have taken place since Jan. 10.

The Fairfax County Police Department has received many reports from residents nationwide involving a phony inheritance proclamation, according to a recent news release.

These types of scams usually arrive in the form of an email announcing that the recipient has a multi-million dollar inheritance but must contact an FCPD police investigator to receive the funds. Currently, the scammers are using official email, phone numbers, and street addresses to appear more legitimate and convincing to victims and identifying themselves as authentic FCPD personnel.

Detectives with the Financial Crimes Unit warn residents that due to the potential international origin of this scam, there may be very little that can be done to reclaim funds that have already been wired. FCPD advises residents not to wire money based on instructions from an unsolicited email as FCPD does not send unsolicited emails concerning inheritance, monetary funds or transactions.

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These emails should be deleted immediately; police warn not to open any files provided in the emails. If anyone has questions concerning the validity of unsolicited or suspicious emails requesting monies to be wired or personal information to be sent, that appear to be from the FCPD, contact police right away.

If someone within Fairfax County has already sent money involving this scam, report it through the Financial Crimes electronic reporting site.

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