Winder Police officer targeted by an increasingly common scam

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Thursday, March 15. 2012

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The Winder Police Department is warning of a “Mystery Shopper” scam that targeted one of its own officers. Winder Police Officer Joey Lovinggood received a business-style cardboard envelop at the police department’s address sent to him personally by express mail, a press release states.

Upon opening the envelope, Lovinggood found a partially completed money order accompanied with explicit instructions for him to follow. The instructions were very detailed and instructed him to fill in his name and address as the recipient and also gave an unknown female’s name with an Atlanta address for him to fill in as the sender.

The instructions stated the purpose of having him enter the information was so that it could be done without error. The money order was already made out in the amount of $980. Lovinggood was then instructed to cash the money order at a place of his own choosing and then locate a Western Union and conduct a wire transfer of the cash funds to a different name and address (in the Philippines).

As payment for his “services,” Lovinggood was told to keep $200 of the original $980, ($300.00 for his “quickness and efficiency” if he were able to perform all of this on the same day of receiving the letter). The instructions stated that a “secret” questionnaire would be emailed to him upon completing this task to indicate whether or not he felt the service he received by Western Union was satisfactory.

Nowhere in the instructions was Officer Lovinggood asked to submit his email address in order to receive this survey. The Winder Police Department wishes to inform citizens that this scam — and others like it — have become problematic not only in Georgia but all across the country. If you receive unsolicited material that involves any form of financial transaction you should be on alert and contact your local law enforcement officials immediately.

Criminal cases like these are usually very hard to investigate appropriately because they most often involve international jurisdictions with differing and conflicting laws on fraudulent behavior, Winder Police Chief Dennis Dorsey indicated in a statement.

“The best way to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of these type of crimes is to become an educated consumer by following up to determine the legitimacy of the companies or services involved before using them or by simply avoiding them altogether if they are unsolicited in the first place and appear too good to be true,” said Dorsey.

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#1 Anonymous on 03/15/12 at 04:21 PM [Reply]

I hope they send me one of those , I will just go cash it and keep all of the money for myself.

#1.1 Anonymous on 03/15/12 at 04:37 PM [Reply]

ditto that

#1.1.1 Anonymous on 03/15/12 at 04:56 PM [Reply]

And the story is directed at both of you when it said to "become an educated consumer" The checks are counterfeit. You will be the one out all of the money in 4 to 6 weeks when it bounces.

#1.1.1.1 JDGILLE on 03/15/12 at 05:13 PM [Reply]

And since these are counterfeited checks you will face the possibility of being charged for forgery in the first degree which is a felony, if a police report is filed by the bank. Just saying.

#1.1.1.2 Anonymous on 03/16/12 at 06:37 AM [Reply]

I know that! I also know that if Western Union even cashed it I would be charged with check fraud, etc....

BUT given the choice of cashing it and giving them their "share" --- I'd keep the whole amount.

#1.2 banker on 03/15/12 at 10:13 PM [Reply]

Even if you just cash the item, you are ultimately responsible whether it's fraudulent or not. That is the most absurd comment and reflects your obvious intelligence.

#2 also on 03/15/12 at 05:25 PM [Reply]

You would also be charged with theft by transaction over 500 dollars, which is also a felony!

#3 Lynnfrost on 03/15/12 at 05:43 PM [Reply]

I have had many things like that sent to me. I am not stupid, flagged them & sent to delete file. Didn't know I should report them to the police !

#3.1 JDGILLE on 03/15/12 at 06:42 PM [Reply]

You can report it unfortunately has Chief Dorsey stated its difficult to investigate. Most of the time, in my department anyway we explain that as long as the financial transaction has not happened there is no crime and we turn these scams to the Secret Service which investigating these.
The best thing to do is what you doing Lynn Frost, delete them when received by email, put them in the trash when by mail.

#3.1.1 Anonymous on 03/15/12 at 07:08 PM [Reply]

if its so difficult to investigate then I dont think they would investigate me if I cashed on in that someone sent to me. Hey its free money, as long as i find someoen to cash it that is.

#4 you. on 03/15/12 at 07:16 PM [Reply]

misunderstand, it is difficult to catch the people profiting you as the sap are easy, the bank doesnt care because the police will arrest you and make sure you go to jail and the bank will take the fake checks and in many cases give you the funds, why cause the Banks unlike the owners of other business dont have the police dedicated to finding someone to get the monies back to them

#5 james on 03/15/12 at 07:36 PM [Reply]

if you get charged no money is worth it BEWARE

#6 Marybelle on 03/15/12 at 07:44 PM [Reply]

Phillipines? Guess they have moved the operation from Nigeria.

#7 Anonymous on 03/15/12 at 09:29 PM [Reply]

Take it to the bank and they can determine if the money order has been previously issued. I received 2 of these scams and traced the mailing address by google to a private home in Fla.

#7.1 well on 03/15/12 at 10:16 PM [Reply]

you were lucky most times banks pay it to who deposits it six weeks or more later it comes back bad, then the person who deposited it is in trouble, by the way some businesses set up to do this also rent a motel have job fare "hire " folks to work for them over pay them tell them oh heck sorry the pay was off you may have to wait two weeks while we sort it out or you could cash it and give back the difference no harm no foul. so do not always think the person arrested is the criminal.....

#8 observer on 03/16/12 at 06:57 AM [Reply]

After reading some of these comments I can see why this scam works.

If it involves wiring money it's a scam - email, cashier's checks, Craigslist, etc. The other details don't matter at all.

Perhaps BCJ should write a story explaining this in simpler, more clear terms. Obviously, some people in this county don't get it.

#9 Donnie on 03/16/12 at 01:10 PM [Reply]

this scam doesn't have anything to do with mystery shoppers, this is the scam that's been going on for a while of sending illegal money, now on the topic of this cop was so stupid to not even recognize what it was from the get go I'd expect it easily from barrow county "officer", and I do use that term lightly, but for winder police to be like this also is simply inexcusable, even more so who ever wrote this article to also try to say it has anything to do with mystery shopping is just the same, sure there are some certain mystery shopping that are actually scams, most easily recognized by the ones who actually make you pay for a supposed list, it doesn't cost to work somewhere people, but there are the ones that are honest businesses/employers

#9.1 My Two Cents on 03/16/12 at 02:56 PM [Reply]

Donnie, Donnie, What's with all the hostility toward our local law enforcement? Congratulations for having such superior intellect as not to "fall" for this old scam! Indeed it is an old one however you apparently didn't read the article correctly or you are really as dumb as you accuse the officers of this city and county to be. Taken from above article: "The instructions stated that a “secret” questionnaire would be emailed to him upon completing this task to indicate whether or not he felt the service he received by Western Union was satisfactory." SOUNDS LIKE SECRET SHOPPER TO ME ;),,,Yes, a new twist on an old scheme, BUT Western Union was to be the analyzed business, NOT Arby's, Wal-Mart, Target, etc. Further, I missed the part where the officer fell for the scam,,,,if you know more than this release,please tell us how much that officer lost???? Was he able to get it to them in time to lose $300 or was he tardy and just lost $200? Educate the rest of us who are not blessed with your superior intelligence so we won't fall prey to any of these marvelous scams. (also curious as to what "illegal" money is? LOL)

#9.1.1 Agree on 03/16/12 at 11:39 PM [Reply]

As a old Wrestler told me, "Give em heck, Donnie knows nothing".

#9.1.1.1 Donnie on 03/17/12 at 07:00 PM [Reply]

ok you just wasted a part of your life you'll never be able to regain for such a waste of nonsense, then again you do/did watch wrestling so there ya go

#9.1.2 Donnie on 03/17/12 at 06:58 PM [Reply]

as for the local "law enforcement" there is no hostility just facts, as for the scam no it's not one of mystery shopper ones simply because of how it wants you to drop some money to supposedly accomplish something as opposed to getting you account info and bleeding it or even simply never hearing from again after giving them a deposit, also brainless if you'd read again what I said you'd see that I never said that the cop actually fell for it to some extinct as opposed to "recognize what it was", now why don't you go and rub your two pennies together and hopefully you can at least scrape up the tiniest bit of common sense

#9.1.2.1 My Two Cents on 03/17/12 at 10:27 PM [Reply]

Don,,,,I did go back and reread the article and that post you wrote,,I saw nothing in it the second go-round I didn't see the first time,,,even after I rubbed my 2 pennies together ;),,,How's about I loan you my 2 pennies so you can rub them together and explain the use of "EXTINCT" in this part of your last jab: "I never said that the cop actually fell for it to some extinct as opposed to "recognize what it was", now why don't you go and rub your two pennies together and hopefully you can at least scrape up the tiniest bit of common sense",,,, please disregard if you were drunk when posting that one. Would explain a lot. APPARENTLY the Policeman DID indeed recognize it was a scam and as a couple posters below pointed out,,,The article was a PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT,,,,NOT something degrading that policeman,,, THAT was all YOUR doing!

#9.2 Anonymous on 03/17/12 at 12:26 AM [Reply]

now you know why he works for the WPD!!! the WPD is and has been a disgrace for years!! time for David to clean house and get some intellegent officers and chief!

#9.2.1 Trevor on 03/17/12 at 09:51 AM [Reply]

The Chief and Officers of Winder are doing an incredible job. I give praise where it is deserved and dont take little snipes at them. Why are they a disgrace? What has the Cheif and officers done that makes you feel they are not intellegent. And before you make the remark, I do not work in Law Enforcement or for the city or the county.

#9.2.2 Positives & Negatives, WPD.. Not Perfect, Better than many. on 03/20/12 at 03:17 PM [Reply]

I would say there is Improvement to accomplish but I would not say they are a disgrace in any way, shape or form. They have served us pretty well, they DO NEED to IMPROVE in some ways, the IMAGE of the department is not as good as it should be and that is directly atributable to officers interations or avoidance with the public, not following through with Promises Made to the Public, the Department(Chief) Promised periodic Zone Meetings, he did ONE, then never followed up, this department does little public relations. They do offer a Citizens Police Academy (something they do Right) but seem to think that wasting money on new decals will improve their Image (something they are wrong about, that is for themselves and a waste), the Image issue is not the paint job and thinking that will fix it is an insult. I see alot of ripping on WPD, so deserved, most not, but there are issues to improve (not paint over). SO I hope they will continue. WPD does ALOT Right, I will take them over many other departments!!

#9.3 Barrow County Citizen on 03/17/12 at 02:15 PM [Reply]

Apparently, you don't have all the facts. It did not say the officer fell for the scam. It was apparently brought to the attention of the Chief. It sounds like you totally missed the purpose of this article. It seems it's purpose was to inform unaware citizens, of the danger. Not everyone is intelligent beyond everyone else in the universe, so it always helps if they have a heads up. There are elderly people as well as people who are struggling financially in todays economy that are desperate enough that they might be willing to take a chance on a situation like this. I have known someone in the past that was taken by a scheme like this, and they are not a stupid person, just going through a rough time! Our Winder Police and Barrow County Officers do a great job for our community! Would you go out there and put your life on the line everyday for someone you don't know? Would you go out on calls in the middle of the night and not know if you will walk out alive? Especially for the pay they receive for doing their jobs. Why do you think that most officers and fire fighters have second and third jobs? It is not for the fun of it, it is to try and pay the bills. Maybe you should walk a mile in someone else's shoes before you go judging people and pronouncing a sentence. Your own life might not be so perfect if you were looking at it from someone else's view point. They offer Citizen Police classes, free to the public, maybe you might want to think about taking attending one of those. It allows you to see first hand what our officers go through on a daily basis. You even get the opportunity to ride along with an officer on calls. Trust me, there is more to their jobs than just cruising the streets, giving tickets and eating donuts. Most officers wouldn't be caught dead eating a donut, unless it is for a good cause, like RAISING MONEY FOR THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS.
No one is perfect, but they sure try and protect us citizens. Most would give their life to save yours, even after such an asisine statement. As for the newpaper, they offer the citizens a service. They print informative articles for everyone, not just for people with one point of view. On a last note, I know this officer you are accusing of being dumb. He has more character, bravery, and caring for our citizen (no matter what color, class, or amount of money they might have and would come to their aid)than most people I have ever known. When you are in a life threatening position, I would be willing to bet your opinion of those who serve would change. It is amazing how things can turn around when you are the person in need of assistance. I pray you are never in a situation like that. But from my own personal experience, who suffered the loss of a teenage son from a terrible accident (not in a car) I can tell you first hand that the police and fire department were there to try and help in any and all ways they could. There was no way to save my son, but they tried their best anyway. They also were very supportive to me and my family. The chaplin offered more grief support than anyone else was able to since they deal with loss of officer each and everyday. I did not live in Barrow County at the time, but if I had, I would not have expected any different treatment here than we received there! Get to know your officers and the jobs they do for us, then make your judgement. Not all jobs they receive are glorious, easy jobs.

Just Saying.

#9.3.1 Agree with you on 03/17/12 at 03:15 PM [Reply]

I agree with you 100%. I had a problem several weeks ago and needed to meet with the Chief of the Winder Police Department. I found him to be very accommodating, even when I could not make our first appointment and had to reschedule. He and his staff was very professional and responsive. The problem is Barrow County Citizens are never happy. Look at the past 3 or 4 County Administrations, the past 3 or 4 City of Winder Administrations (and wait until year 2 or 3, they will turn on David also).

#10 Walt White on 03/19/12 at 03:26 PM [Reply]

Good to know our law enforcement cannot identify a crime even when it is happening to them.

#11 sovrncitzn on 03/19/12 at 07:25 PM [Reply]

Who cares if some cop got scamed. They extort and rob us everyday I find it comical.HA,HA,HA,HA lol.

#12 Robert Lanham on 03/19/12 at 08:48 PM [Reply]

It would be nice if some of you would actually go back and read the article - not just the headline - NO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER GOT SCAMMED. The package was sent to the police officer at the police station. He recognized it for what it was - a scam, and used this opportunity as a teaching tool. Of course, you wouldn't know this if you were just looking for an excuse to criticize.

#12.1 sovrncitzn on 03/21/12 at 05:27 AM [Reply]

I know he didnt get scamed I am just saying who cares if one of them gets ripped off.

#12.1.1 nic on 03/23/12 at 12:04 PM [Reply]

you are so ignorant. so it doesn't matter if a cop gets scamed but if you get scamed you would fly your tail to the nearest police station to file a report. Nice.

#12.1.1.1 mayb on 03/23/12 at 02:44 PM [Reply]

if people doing less then stellaar in solving crimes would just be quiet not complain how good they are and how little we thank them life would be better for them, and us too when they see us not wearing our seatbelt and all alone in our car, or not wearing a helmut while on our motorcycle!

#13 well on 03/19/12 at 11:41 PM [Reply]

would you think others would fall for this unless they are greedy, you do not apply it just shows up and somehow you think wow i won the lotto, HERES YOUR SIGN, how about the Winder Police leave Mail Fraud to the Postal Service, Bank Fraud to the treasury dept and any other crime they can not really solve to others who probably can not solve but at least have main daily task to simmer folks down when this happens to them. FACT Police Solve less then HALF thats less then fifty percent of KNOWN homicides, that does not count al the ones that they never even get assigned to or know for sure there is a homicide, so quit grand standing and start solving REAL crimes that really hurt others not this mail fraud crap not some kid smoking ciggarettes not some one buying what ever it takes to mke meth but real CRIMES like robbery, Rape, child molesters and murders!!!! quit saying your here to stop crime when you can not even solve half of the murders you know about!!! yeah you can cacth a speeder and some hop head or tweeker who even if you did not catch them they would catch themselves, how about REAL crimes that hurt others not just self inflicted damges leave dope heads and gambling and prostitution the hell alone and solve muggins rapes etc not some meltdowns that made that choice.

#13.1 Anonymous on 03/19/12 at 11:51 PM [Reply]

Where do you get your facts on the rate of homicides the police are able to solve? Dont just make up stuff. I bet you cant tell us can you? I am not a big fan of the Winder Police but I do know when someo ne is trying to blow smoke up my rear end. Come on now, put the facts out here. Show us where you get those "facts" you are saying. Again, bet you cant

#13.1.1 Anonymous on 03/20/12 at 08:08 AM [Reply]

in the lingo of police data, “cleared” is another way of saying “closed.” A cleared homicide most often means a solved crime, or at least a crime that results in an arrest. now convictions is whole new ballgame, but if you count cleared known cases you are more correct 63 percent, though convictions that cuts it below fifty percent.

The same cannot consistently be said of forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault. Detectives can clear these types of cases by making an arrest or by labeling them:

Inactive, when officers have exhausted all investigative leads without securing enough evidence to make an arrest.
Unfounded, when an investigation reveals that no crime was committed. in thier mind!
By exception, when officers have enough evidence to make an arrest, but are unable to because the suspect cannot be detained. This is supposed to be limited to instances when police cannot extradite a suspect, or when the suspect is dead. but also helps in the money game that police depts are in for monies sent from the great protectors in the federal govt.

#13.1.1.1 Anonymous on 03/20/12 at 02:03 PM [Reply]

I believe you on what definitions are but again I will ask the same question, where do you get the stats that you are using? The FBI data I looked up on Google does not support either comment on the FACT that was given. Im not saying it is right or wrong (I believe it to be wrong but dont know since I only used google) but I just want to see if they can supply where the numbers that are used in these comments comes from. Thanks

#13.1.1.1.1 you on 03/21/12 at 06:17 AM [Reply]

mean the stats provided by each office to the FBI which has been designed so depts can leave off cleared cases as solved? or the fact that if they claim thry know who did the crime even if that person is aquitted they can still claim it, oh yeah the fairy tale police federal grant funding program! makes me all warm and cozy able to goright to sleep.... good think i got my moosburg and smith and wesson, cause golly I know the Police are good at one thing, showing up after the shooting and making sure someone gets arrested because then it is cleared, just so long as I do not have to depend on the luck of these lifesavers to show up before the round chambers and i being in fear for my life have to make the choice to end the attempted murder on my person, cause if officer come lately comes I am sure they will make an arrest but at least my family wont be sitting in the county morgue, so read the self fulfilling reports sent in for all the little bread crumbs that depts suckle at the teet for, and pray you are the one in ten that the police happen to by chance protect before someone violates you home your self or a loved one.

#13.1.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 03/21/12 at 11:54 PM [Reply]

Sorry son, but the FBI stats dont support your comments. Please try to use real facts and dont make them up. The police do enough that can be made fun up, solving murders is not one of them. Barrow County solved my uncles 3 years ago.

#13.1.1.1.1.1.1 look again on 03/22/12 at 03:26 AM [Reply]

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/crime-in-the-u.s.-2010/10Clearance.gif

also pay attn to reason and loopholes for cleared cases, one being case turned over to the atty that has option to charge or not charge the case, and yes the number for cleared not solved cases is 64 percent of Known homicides, of course when hookers and homeless just disappear or runaways that is not part of this mix cause to police and a lot of people these groups are disposable anyhow, oh also undocumented workers,

#13.1.1.1.1.1.2 what part? on 03/22/12 at 11:52 PM [Reply]

do they not support? since homicide seems to be the best result of cleared violent crimes? the rest scores are more pitiful! you are happy someone got arrested but for each known homicide there is one that there is not a solution. other then the 14 percent cleared not solved.

#14 if i was only 69 percent on 03/20/12 at 01:00 PM [Reply]

effective at my job my job would end, but i guess we like the odea of feeling safe turns out other violent crime are even less then fifty percent solved, but at least we got the ete on the drugs, well unless we have pain clinics then it is open as long as it is prescribed!!! then again CVS in Florida was stopped from giving out drugs when it came to light three of thier stores were mostly for local pain clinics located fairly close.

#15 oh but on 03/21/12 at 06:30 AM [Reply]

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/crime-in-the-u.s.-2010/10Clearance.gif

here is what you seem to see 2010 65 percent cleared not convicted not people found guilty but cleared and remeber these are KNOWN muders and manslaughter including motor involved where driver was charged or not charged in death of person involved in accident or negligent act. i guess you feel all warm and cozy still waiting for the hard working crime fighters to solve a crime!!! that does not involve teenagers and meltdowns,

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Winder Police officer targeted by an increasingly common scam

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