LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Police Department is warning residents against an email scam aimed at obtaining money from the elderly and other Kauaians. The public is advised to be extremely cautious when releasing personal information or sending money to unknown
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Police Department is warning residents against an email scam aimed at obtaining money from the elderly and other Kauaians.
The public is advised to be extremely cautious when releasing personal information or sending money to unknown individuals.
Police have received reports of an email that claims to be from Officer Patrick Menino of the Hawai‘i County Police Department requesting money, a county press release states. The email includes a photograph of Menino along with an image of the HCPD police badge. The images were obtained from HCPD’s public website.
Menino is an active police officer with HCPD’s community relations department but has no connection or involvement with this scam.
The perpetrators have been using the email address HawaiiPoliceDepartment@yahoo.com to send messages to local residents.
A preliminary investigation reveals that this scam may be originating from Nigeria, the release states.
Officers advise that if you receive an email of this nature, do not make contact with the sender. Instead, call the Kaua‘i Police Department immediately at 241-1711.
