Martinsburg, WV – The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to be on alert after a fraudulent letter surfaced this week claiming a local resident was the beneficiary of a multi-million dollar estate.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the letter, dated August 18 and delivered Thursday, alleged that the recipient was entitled to more than $12 million from a deceased Canadian client. Officials said the correspondence is a scam designed to trick individuals into sharing personal and financial information. Authorities cautioned residents not to reply to any similar letters, phone calls, texts or emails.
Sheriff Rob Blair said the fraudulent message was promptly reported by the intended victim, who recognized the scam and handed it over to law enforcement. “These scammers use any method they can to obtain your bank account information. ALWAYS question anything ‘too good to be true,’” Blair said in a statement.
Officials urged residents to share the warning with friends and relatives, especially seniors, who are often targeted by such schemes. The department stressed that even clicking a link or responding to fraudulent requests could compromise a computer or phone.
The Sheriff’s Office is reminding the public that legitimate legal or financial institutions will not ask for personal information in unsolicited communications. Anyone who receives suspicious messages is encouraged to contact local law enforcement before taking any action.
Residents are advised to remain vigilant as similar scams have repeatedly surfaced nationwide, often using fabricated legal documents, seals, and official-sounding language to appear authentic.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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