Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release: 

On Thursday, December 17, 2015, a Humboldt County Community Service Officer (CSO), contacted a 92 year old female victim of a mail scam. The victim stated she received a letter mailed to her residence by an unknown subject stating if she sent them $500 then they would send her $795,000. The victim spoke with the suspect by phone and then mailed the $500 to an address in Sacramento, and later showed the letter to a friend. The victim’s friend told her the letter was a scam and to contact the Sheriff’s Office.

The CSO contacted the United States Postal Service and advised them of the situation. The US Postal Inspector stated they would try to recover the victim’s letter and return it to the Sheriff’s Office.

On Wednesday, December 23, 2015, a US Postal Inspector informed the CSO they had intercepted the victim’s letter and would mail it to the Sheriff’s Office. The letter was received by the Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, December 28th, and the CSO returned the letter with the $500 to the victim.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public not to send money to unknown persons and/or charities. If a letter is suspicious in nature, please contact your local US Postal Service or visit their website.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.