WINDSOR – The Windsor Police Department has joined the growing number of law enforcement agencies dealing with fraud.

Sgt. Ricky Morris of the WPD reported this week that he has been investigating a case of fraud in the County Seat of Bertie County after being contacted by a local financial advisor.

A Windsor man reportedly received a check and was told to send $2,000 for processing. The victim had given the agency his account information when he contacted Richard Whitely of Edward Jones in Windsor.

According to Sgt. Morris, Whitley acted quickly to stop the transaction.

“Mr. Whitley is the victim’s financial advisor and was smart to get right on this matter,” Sgt. Morris said.

Whitley then contacted Windsor Police Chief Rodney Hoggard and the chief, along with Morris and Detective Outlaw spoke with the victim. During the interview, Sgt. Morris was given a number to contact the agency that had attempted to perpetrate the fraud.

Sgt. Morris said he contacted the number and told them two people at the agency were attempting to commit fraud. He also reported he was spoken to rudely and that the number was located in Jamaica.

“This scam is one of several that have been done several times,” Sgt. Morris said. “We just want people to know that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Sgt. Morris also encouraged anyone who had received a check in the mail asking for money in return as a handling fee or any similar sounding scam to contact the Windsor Police Department or their local law enforcement agency.

“We want to protect the public from this type of scam,” Sgt. Morris said. “We are here to assist the citizens and we want them to contact us if they have any suspicion that someone may be attempting to scam them.”