In one instance, a resident received a check for $2,615.00 from “Nationstar International World Sweepstakes.” The resident was told that the check was to cover “charges/fees” that the resident was required to pay, in order to receive a larger cash prize.

The check was from “Marketing Direct Plus” through “Commercial Bank.” It was green in color and approximately 8 1/2 inches long by 3 1/2 inches wide.

Police warn the public that if they receive such a check, they should not cash or deposit it. Instead, they may call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.

Source: KPUA

Residents reported receiving mail claiming the recipient won a large sum of money. In one case, one person received a check for $4,810 from “Ambassador International World Sweepstakes,” police said. The company asked the recipient to deposit the check and send the cash back to the company so the company could send a larger cash prize.

The check, which misspelled the word “special,” was from “Don Stewart Association Spacial Account, P.O. Box 2960, Phoenix, AZ 85062.” The check was blue and about 9.5 inches long by 4.5 inches wide.

Police said you should not cash or deposit any such check. Instead, Big Island residents can call the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Source: KITV

A scam that has grown popular on Oahu has spread to the Big Island.

Call it home-invitation thievery: teams that exploit the aloha of local residents.

Big Island police are investigating two incidents of thieves talking their way into homes to steal valuables in Hilo on Friday, similar to scams reported in East Oahu.

At about 5 p.m., two women approached a West Puainako Street resident and told her that they desperately needed to use the bathroom. One of the women went inside to use the bathroom, while the second woman distracted the resident outside, police said.

Within a few minutes the woman came out, and both left in a red hatchback or station wagon. The victim found that a handbag with some cash had been taken.

About two hours earlier, two women claiming to be relatives approached residents of a West Kawailani Street home. The women persuaded the residents to let them inside. Once inside, one woman said she needed to use the bathroom, while the second woman distracted the senior citizens, police said.

The pair left in a red or maroon four-door sedan. The house occupants subsequently discovered that some money had been taken.

One victim said the women appeared to be relatives.

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The woman reported that an unknown Caucasian man approached her at her home at 11 a.m. on December 15. He said he was doing sewer repair for a business next to her house and he had to tap into her sewer line to do the work. He said the cost to do the repair would be approximately $6,000 and told her the business next door would reimburse her.

The woman gave the man the money. When she confronted the business, she was informed that she had possibly been the victim of a scam.

Police have initiated a theft report and caution the public to beware of anyone making a similar claim.

Police ask anyone with information about this incident to call Officer Anson Caceres at 961-2213. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

(Source: KGMB9)