Solicitor Seeking Funds for Phony ‘News’ Magazine

Business owners and area residents should be aware of what is believed to be a scam involving someone attempting to solicit funds on behalf of the Las Cruces Police Department for a publication that appears to be centered on law enforcement and helping find missing persons.

The Las Cruces Police Department does not solicit funds for any publications and no one has been authorized to seek advertising revenue on behalf of LCPD.

The 28-page news magazine in question, titled “Crime News” and dated 2012-2013, was presented to a business owner just off El Paseo Road who gave $20 in exchange for an advertisement in the publication. The business owner told Las Cruces Police that the solicitor mentioned that he was soliciting funds on behalf of the Las Cruces Police Department.

The business owner wrote a check for $20 but then became suspicious of the news magazine and reported the incident to police on Thursday, Dec 13. The business owner handed over a copy of the disingenuous news magazine to LCPD.

Anyone who has knowledge of someone soliciting funds on behalf of the Las Cruces Police Department, or on behalf of any other law enforcement agency within our community, is asked to call (575) 526-0795.