ROBERT J. BAKER / TIMES Ryan Way speaks during the 2013 Clarendon Chamber Dinner, where he was named president. Way added another distinction last month when he was named executive director for the Clarendon County Disabilities and Special Needs Board.
The state Attorney General's Office issued a statement Tuesday involving a scam reported by residents of at least seven states who claim documentation purports to be from the office, the U.S. Department of Justice and a group called Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.
Attorney General Alan Wilson said his office has "received numerous calls ... (that) report getting an email allegedly from the Attorney General's Office with a subject line of 'Final Legal Notification' and containing what claims to be an 'attorney retainer agreement.'"
The email, which contains the name of an actual attorney in South Carolina who is not involved in the fraud, presents a message that says, "All this agreement is about the legal case on your name and we are going to arrest you for the same (sic). So before we send police to your mailing address give us a call back."
Potential victims in Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas and Virginia have called the Attorney General's Office saying they received the email.
"It is important to know that this is a scam," Wilson said. "The Attorney General's Office does not communicate about criminal matters this way, and it never sends an ultimatum demanding someone take specific steps to avoid being arrested."
"It is important to protect yourself from being victimized," Wilson continued.
Wilson said suspicious emails should be reported at (803) 737-3953.
"Do not respond to (them)," Wilson added.
To view a copy of the scam email, visit www.scag.gov/sc-attorney-generals-office-warns-scam-2.
