Energy Drink Scam Ensnares Westlake Resident

WESTLAKE, OH — Last week, a Westlake man was ensnared by an email scam. An "energy drink" company reached out to the resident and offered him $400 to put a decal on his car advertising the drink. The man agreed.

The "company" mailed the man a check for more than $400. He deposited the check, but then discovered something was not right. He decided to return the money, Westlake police said.

The man sent a check back to the scam artists before learning the original payment was fake. The phone number and PO box involved in the scam are no longer in use, Westlake police said.

"Do not respond to or open links from unsolicited or unexpected emails. These can be phishing ploys to try to get your personal information or malware that can infect your computer," a Westlake police spokesperson said.