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Smiths Falls police are investigating a “scam mail out” — a postcard purporting to be from the Ontario Sex Offender Registry that names a Smiths Falls person and lists their address.

“Such a document is a hoax,” police say, noting that the registry does not send out material advertising or naming offenders.

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Police included a photo of the document, while blacking out the name, home address and work address of the alleged “offender” the card claims was classified as “level 3 – high risk”

The postcards, which were reported to police Thursday morning, were sent through the mail to occupants of addresses in town. More were found at the town’s post office.

The person named on what is, so far, several dozen postcards is not on the sex-offender registry.

“He’s a known figure in town,” said Staff-Sgt. Rick Labelle of the Smiths Falls police.

“This is an upstanding citizen. We want to know what the motive is.”

The victim is concerned and upset, Labelle said.

Canada Post security is assisting in the investigation aiming to identify the sender.

That person could face charges such as criminal harassment, mischief or impersonation.

“We’re going to do whatever we can to identify this individual,” Labelle said.

They’re asking that anyone who receives this type of mailing or has any information about it contact Det.-Const. Dave Rakobowchuk at 613-283-0357 ext. 1235.

Anonymous tips can also be made to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.