Redlands Police have seen a surge in mail scams promising unsuspecting victims large returns or percentages on large sums of cash.
In addition, investigators say, many would-be victims have become suspects themselves as they perpetuate known fraudulent schemes, cashing bogus checks with local banks, check-cashing establishments or mom-and-pop businesses and keeping the ill-gotten gain.

The scams, many of which are based outside the United States, often in West Africa, Canada or Europe, take a variety of forms, but have one thing in common. They promise large returns of cash for little effort and ultimately leave victims with a bogus check and little recourse to recoup their losses.

In addition, virtually all of the fraudulent schemes encourage potential victims to keep the transactions confidential from family, friends and officials, including police.

In many of the schemes, victims receive checks that appear legitimate for thousands of dollars. Victims are requested to either return a portion of the money as a service fee or return an overpayment. Days later, after the money has been sent or wired to the scam artists, the victims learn the checks are fraudulent and the funds unavailable.

The Redlands Police Department receives several reports a week of fraudulent mail offers, according to investigator Jesse Marquez.
Most recently, many of the scams have included bogus money orders from national retailer Wal-Mart.

Marquez warns residents to be wary of any unsolicited mail promising large returns for little work or large winnings. In addition, Marquez advises that anyone who knowingly cashes a fraudulent check or does so without making a diligent effort to determine the legitimacy of the check, could be held civilly or even criminally liable.

Marquez encourages anyone who receives an unsolicited offer of money whether it is international lottery winnings, a fee to perform a service, such as passing funds to another recipient or reshipping merchandise or a large overpayment on a negotiated deal to call his office at 798-7534, ext. 3.

At 10 a.m. on Monday, July 23, Marquez will give a presentation on recognizing and protecting yourself from fraud at the Joslyn Senior Center, 21 Grant St. The same presentation will be offered at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25 at the Redlands Community Senior Center, 111 W. Lugonia Ave.

Marquez is also available to give presentations to other organizations on request.

Redlands Daily Facts - Police see increase in fraudulent mail schemes

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