Fairfax Police Warn Public About 'Inheritance Scam'

Fairfax County Police have received numerous reports from residents about a phony inheritance proclamation.

The scam usually arrives in the form of an email announcing that the recipient has a multi-million dollar inheritance but must contact an FCPD police investigator to receive the funds. Currently, the scammers use official email, phone numbers, and street addresses to appear more legitimate to victims. They also identify themselves as authentic FCPD personnel.

Detectives with the Financial Crimes Unit warn residents that due to the potential international origin of this scam, there may be very little that can be done to reclaim funds that have already been wired. FCPD advises residents not to wire money based on instructions from an unsolicited email as FCPD does not send unsolicited emails concerning inheritance, monetary funds or transactions.

These emails should be deleted immediately; police say not to open any files provided in the emails. If anyone has questions concerning the validity of unsolicited or suspicious emails that request wired money or personal information, contact police right away.

If someone within Fairfax County has already sent money involving this scam, report it through the Financial Crimes electronic reporting site.