Resident Reports Attempted E-Mail/Money Order Scam

On August 16, 2011 at about 2 p.m., hours a resident filed a report of fraudulent checks. The victim stated on August 11, 2011 she received an email from email address Ace256.1@sbcglobal.net from an unknown person identified as James Davis. She further stated that Mr. Davis was looking to hire a personal assistant and which the victim agreed to the job.

On August 16, 2011, the victim received a Fedex package containing two (2) postal money orders, both in the amount of $930.00. After receiving the package, she also received another email from Mr. Davis. The second email stated that she was to deposit both checks into her bank account. She was instructed to keep $400.00 for herself and then send the remainder of the money via money order to a third-party identified as Lawrence Johnson of Oakland, CA. The email did not provide an exact address.

After receiving the checks, the victim responded to the United States Post Office (USPO) and attempted to cash one of the money orders at the post office. She was advised by the teller that the money order was counterfeit and the teller seized the money order. After leaving the post office, the victim responded to police headquarters with the second money order. The money order was addressed to the victim from a Martin Andrew at 924 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA.

The victim did not attempt to deposit the money order into her account and she did not send any money to any third-party.