Authorities are urging citizens, especially the elderly, to becautious of a Canadian telemarketing-investment scheme that hasbeen reported in the area.

In the scheme, said Assistant District Attorney Jerry Rushing, arepresentative from a “international investment group,” or asimilar name, contacts a person and says money is being held forthem in a Canadian bank account. To claim the money, according tothe scam, the person needs to send for $4,000 to a certainaddress.

“They’ll target the elderly usually,” Rushing said about scamoperators.

Rushing said the scam has been seen in one incident. A personwho was contacted was in the process of sending the money, but asuspicious bank teller questioned the transfer and alertedauthorities.

Rushing said people need to be cautious any time they are calledor approached about money and asked to give their own money inorder to claim funds that are supposedly waiting for them. Thelatest scheme is one of those times, he said.

“There’s nothing to it,” Rushing said.

Rushing said his office unable to prosecute in the case becauseit is out of the local jurisdiction.

However, the Canadian government has established Project PhoneBuster which targets suspicious telemarketing activities. If anyoneis approached, Rushing encouraged them to get an address andtelephone number where money is supposed to be sent and then call1-888-495-8501.