Charlottesville citizens and University students ought to be wary of a man on the phone who claims they have won the American Family Publishers sweepstakes.
According to a press release issued by the Office of the City Manager, a man calling himself "Bill Stacey" solicited at least two Charlottesville residents for money Tuesday.
Charlottesville Director of Communications Maurice Jones said "Bill Stacey" informed each person that he or she had won a $500,000 sweepstakes prize. "Bill Stacey" would deliver the money to the "winner" under one condition: He or she had to pay between $475 and $4,875 in taxes up front.
"Bill Stacey" tells each caller to wire the money to a "Mary Williams" through Western Union.
If the money was sent, then Dick Clark personally would deliver the $500,000 check to them, "Bill Stacey" claimed.
Jones said neither person who received a phone call wired any money to "Mary Williams."
Instead, they called the police, who have launched an investigation of the alleged fraud.
"The case has been moved to the investigative division of the Charlottesville Police Department," Charlottesville Police Sgt. James Pace said.
The investigation will find out if other citizens of Charlottesville were solicited and if the same crime occurred in nearby districts, Jones said.
According to the press release, "'Bill Stacey' is very convincing and is willing to stay on the phone for a long period of time in order to sell his fraudulent claims."
"If the investigation is able to capture the perpetrator then his punishment will be determined in court," Pace said.
University Police Sgt. Tom Durrer said because the amount solicited was over $200, the crime would be considered a felony under Virginia law.
The Charlottesville Police Department is encouraging all residents of Charlottesville to be cautious if they are told they won a sweepstakes over the phone.
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