The Hamilton County sheriff has reported that the department's organized crime unit is investigating a scam known as the "black money scam."Sheriff Jim Neil said on June 23 agents found several chemicals and other props inside hotel rooms that were being used to facilitate the scheme.Agents said the people involved in the scam show victims large quantities of money covered with black dye and are telling the victims the money is unable to be used unless it is cleaned with specific chemicals. The scammers then clean the money in front of the victims making the money usable again.The victims are told the chemicals to clean the money is very expensive.The scammers will then ask for money from the victim to purchase additional chemicals to clean the unusable money.The scammers will offer to either share the money with the victim or may offer to make a large purchase from the victim once the money is cleaned.The scammers then take the victims' money and leave, never to return with the chemicals.The victim is left with what appears to be a large quantity of money covered in black dye. Upon further investigation, the large quantity of money covered in dye, is in fact, construction paper cut to look like currency.The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office interviewed three possible people who were in possession of the chemicals but have not been able to identify any victims of this scam in Hamilton County.Officials said it is believed that the scammers had just arrived in Cincinnati from either New Jersey or Pennsylvania.Anyone with information pertaining to the black money scam should call Hamilton County Sheriff's organized crime section at 513-241-2390.

The Hamilton County sheriff has reported that the department's organized crime unit is investigating a scam known as the "black money scam."

Sheriff Jim Neil said on June 23 agents found several chemicals and other props inside hotel rooms that were being used to facilitate the scheme.


Agents said the people involved in the scam show victims large quantities of money covered with black dye and are telling the victims the money is unable to be used unless it is cleaned with specific chemicals. The scammers then clean the money in front of the victims making the money usable again.

The victims are told the chemicals to clean the money is very expensive.

The scammers will then ask for money from the victim to purchase additional chemicals to clean the unusable money.

The scammers will offer to either share the money with the victim or may offer to make a large purchase from the victim once the money is cleaned.

The scammers then take the victims' money and leave, never to return with the chemicals.

The victim is left with what appears to be a large quantity of money covered in black dye. Upon further investigation, the large quantity of money covered in dye, is in fact, construction paper cut to look like currency.

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office interviewed three possible people who were in possession of the chemicals but have not been able to identify any victims of this scam in Hamilton County.

Officials said it is believed that the scammers had just arrived in Cincinnati from either New Jersey or Pennsylvania.

Anyone with information pertaining to the black money scam should call Hamilton County Sheriff's organized crime section at 513-241-2390.

