Public warned against phone scam

ARTESIA — A scam by phone is making the rounds once again, according to Commander Lindell Smith of the Artesia Police Department.
In this scam, a person calls the potential victim and says there is a $1.5 million check waiting for them. All they have to do is call to claim it. … For the rest of the story, subscribe in print and on the web.
The phone call comes from a Jamaican area code. The victim is asked to send a certain amount of money in order to claim their prize. That money is then converted, never to be seen again.
“Please do not fall for this scam and send money by check or over the wire to anyone you do not know,” Smith said. “If a situation sounds too good to be true … it is. Trouble can easily be avoided by being diligent and protective of assets. Money sent to these or other scam artists is probably not recoverable.”