The Sheriff’s Office has become aware of a fraud/scam that seems to be prevalent in this area and is warning the public to exercise caution and discretion if you receive a mailing from “MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES DIRECT, INC.”, which gives a return address in The Netherlands.

     Some Baxter County citizens have received official-looking notification by mail from this organization claiming that they have won very large cash prizes.  In order to claim the cash prize, the recipient must remit a “Processing Fee” to MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES DIRECT, INC. within seven days.

     This has been identified as a scam and hoax.  Members of the public are encouraged not to respond or reply to this mailing and not remit any amount of “Processing Fee” to that organization.  Don’t become a victim and suffer monetary loss.  Any legitimate organization awarding cash prizes would never require advance payment of “Processing Fees”. 

     The Sheriff’s Office forwards all information and documentation received on these kinds of scams to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff