San Mateo County residents are on alert as the Sheriff’s Office investigates a phishing scheme targeting an elderly El Granada woman. In a release posted on their official website, the Sheriff’s Office detailed how the victim received a deceptive email purporting to be from a reputable online money transfer service encouraging her to withdraw cash from her bank to give to a supposed courier.

Wednesday's incident unfolded on the 600 block of Sonora Ave., where the trusting woman, acting on instructions from the email's sender, met the so-called courier around noon. The suspect, described as an adult Asian male around 6 feet tall and weighing 200 pounds, was last seen clad in a blue sweatshirt and dark pants after pocketing the money, leaving the scene and the elderly woman defrauded.

A conscientious community remains vigilant, as this case highlights a disturbing trend of preying on the unsuspecting. The Sheriff’s Office seeks the public's assistance in this active investigation. Anyone with potentially valuable information is urged to contact the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office at 650-363-4911, or tipsters wishing to remain anonymous can dial 1-800-547-2700 to access the Sheriff's Office Anonymous Tip Line.

Officials underscored the importance of protecting personal information in their public safety announcement: "Use caution and avoid sharing personal banking information with anyone who solicits that information from you online or over the phone, especially if you are asked to provide money."

For more details on this story, visit the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office news post at San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.