A Rocklin woman lost nearly $6,000 after falling for a scam in which she was notified that she had won $1 million in a contest, police said.
The 64-year-old victim was told that she needed to send a cashier's check to cover the cost of insurance for the prize money, said Rocklin Police Lt. Lon Milka.
"This is a typical scam," Milka said. "The victim is sent a fraudulent cashier's check – usually for a larger amount – and then is asked to withdraw a smaller amount and send a cashier's check back."
Milka said banks often cannot immediately detect the fraudulent activity since it takes several days for checks to clear.
By the time the bank determines the criminal activity, the victim already may have sent the cashier's check to the suspects, he said.
Milka warned citizens not to send or pay out money for any contest in which they have supposedly won money or other prizes.
In the Rocklin case, the victim was notified in a letter purportedly from Publishers Clearing House that she had won the $1 million, the report said.
The woman had participated in contests involving Publishers Clearing House in the past and thought the letter was legitimate, the report indicated.
The victim called a phone number listed in the letter and was told by a woman that she needed to get the prize money insured before the company could send her the winning check, the report said.
She was told to cash the check contained in the letter and then mail a new cashier's check for $5,800 to the insurance company in Winnipeg, Canada, according to the police report.
Opich named Prosecutor of the Year
Rick Opich, a 25-year veteran of the Placer County District Attorney's Office, has been recognized as the office's Prosecutor of the Year for 2007.
Opich, who tried nine felony cases last year, was selected by his peers in the District Attorney's Office.
A lifelong Placer County resident, Opich graduated from Roseville High School and Sierra College before transferring to the University of California, Berkeley, where he received a bachelor's degree in history in 1977.
He earned a juris doctorate from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 1980 and practiced civil law for two years before joining the Placer County District Attorney's Office.
In 2007, Opich successfully prosecuted several high-profile cases, including one in which three men in a home invasion robbery tied up two victims and tried to burn down their house. The victims managed to escape.
Firefighters to train in mock blaze
Firefighting agencies from throughout the region will be conducting a simulated fire siege in and around the city of Auburn this Saturday.
The drill will be conducted from about 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and an incident command post will be set up at the Auburn Airport, 13626 New Airport Road.
Auburn residents should be aware of increased traffic and also are urged to keep a safe distance away from the crews participating in the drill, said Capt. Tim Robinson of the Placer Hills Fire District.
Residents of specifically affected areas will be notified before the drill, he said.
The public is welcome to observe the drills as long as they do not interfere with the activities, Robinson said.
Call The Bee's Art Campos, (916) 773-2825.
