Sheriff: Be wary of web scam

As of Wednesday, June 6, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE -- Gwinnett authorities warn that "Amy Livingston" is not who she seems.

That name is associated with an Internet scam based in the Ukraine that has generated recent complaints to the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department, Sheriff Butch Conway said this week.

The fraud reaches Internet users by way of online advertisements or e-mail blasts that usually depict a "stay-at-home mom" who makes a certain amount of dollars per month. The name often used is "Amy Livingston," depicted as a mom from Lawrenceville. Investigators have found that the site is actually registered in eastern Europe, Conway said.

"The Amy Livingston that is used in several of these online advertisements and e-blasts is not from Gwinnett County," Sheriff's Department spokesman Lt. Sean Smith said in a release.

Smith said online systems are prevalent that claim to help people make thousands of dollars a month, and that users should be wary.

"If you get involved in any online business opportunities, please investigate the validity of the opportunity before you partner with these different ventures," he said.

Gwinnett Daily Post