Westbury mayor warns of prize scam

Officials in Westbury are warning of a scam in which recipients are told they've won $1 million and asked to send $19.99 to a Westbury post office box to claim their prize.

A letter warning of the scam was sent to area residents by village Mayor Peter I. Cavallaro. It says officials have contacted the Nassau County Police Department's Crimes Against Property Squad detectives and asks anyone with information about the scam letters to contact police at 516-573-6300.

According to the letter sent by Cavallaro, officials became aware of the scam when out-of-state callers contacted the village clerk's office to inquire about being notified they'd won $1 million.

Officials said it was unclear if area residents have received similar letters.

"Although we have not received any notification that similar letters have been sent to residents of Westbury, residents should be aware that scam artists continue to pursue similar types of scams in our community," the letter from Cavallaro to residents reads, adding: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

Officials said that in addition to police, the Westbury postmaster is investigating the scam.