Internet scam reported

POST FALLS - Last Thursday, the Post Falls Police Department was contacted by a victim reporting an Internet scam, according to a department press release.

The victim reported that her son's mother-in-law was contacted, possibly by her son needing money. Her son is currently deployed over in Iraq with the United States Military, the release said.

The son stated he had rented a vehicle while on leave, caused damage to the rented vehicle and needed $3,000 to fix the vehicle. The victim states the mother-in-law, not knowing what to do or say, called her and relayed this event to her. The mother attempted to contact her son, to no avail, the release said, and decided to send the money.

The mother said she did follow the instruction and sent a little over $3,000 by Western Union to Trinidad Tabago. Once the Western Union was sent, the mother received a call she believed to be from her son, the release said.

The mother said as she spoke with the male she realized the male was speaking with a slight Jamaican accent. The mother said she started to ask the male personal questions that only her son could answer, and the male hung up.

The mother told police her son is using Facebook and other social networks to keep in touch with family and friends while he is deployed, the release said. The mother did say the people she spoke with seemed to know a lot about her son and his current deployment situation.

The Post Falls Police Department would like to remind anyone using social networking services to be cautious about what you post to these sites. Scam artists can and will use these sites to gain information about you and your family.

If you have any information, questions or comments, contact the Post Falls Police Department at (208)773-3517 or contact the Police Department through the website, www.postfallspolice.com.