Fraud email using county seal and stolen vehicle recovered in Stafford County
STAFFORD, VA – A fraudulent email posing as the Stafford County Planning Commission and a stolen vehicle recovered at a local hotel were among the incidents detailed in the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office Daily Incident Report released Monday.
Deputies responded Sunday at 5:37 p.m. to a fraud complaint in the 10 block of Dallhan Court. The victim reported receiving an email that appeared to be from the Stafford County Planning Commission and included the official county seal.
According to the report, the email requested that money be wired directly to a bank account and contained personally identifiable information, along with references to specific statements made by the victim.
The victim notified authorities and the involved parties. The Stafford County Planning and Zoning Department has been made aware of the email. Deputy Kotter provided contact information to the victim and requested the fraudulent email be forwarded for documentation and investigation. No suspect has been identified.
Earlier Sunday at 10:12 a.m., deputies responded to the Sleep Inn at 595 Warrenton Road after receiving notification of a stolen vehicle at the location.
Upon investigation, Deputy Kotvas confirmed the vehicle had been reported stolen by the Metropolitan Police Department on Sunday, Feb. 22. The vehicle was found unoccupied and undamaged.
Hotel management advised that the individual connected to the room where the vehicle was located had indicated plans to return later in the afternoon. The identification used to rent the room was also reported stolen from the victim.
Deputies notified the vehicle’s owner of the recovery and gathered information regarding a possible suspect. The investigation remains ongoing.
Key Points
- Deputies investigated a fraud email using the Stafford County seal requesting wired funds
- A stolen vehicle reported by Metropolitan Police was recovered at a hotel on Warrenton Road
- No suspects have been identified in either case