Sheriff David Harper has released a report regarding an online scam being spread around Madison County:
“The Madison County Sheriff's Office has been contacted by officials within the City of Madison as well as the Madison County Chamber of Commerce in reference to a Facebook flyer circulating on social media. The flyer is advertising two upcoming events at the Four Freedoms Park in Madison. These events are unauthorized by the City of Madison and the Madison County Chamber of Commerce. The investigation has determined this to be a scam that originated from South Africa. Please do not respond or spend any money! If you have previously responded or have sent money, contact the Madison County Sheriff's Office at (850) 973-4001 for reporting purposes.”
The Facebook flyer entailed a “Pop Up Shop” and recruited businesses and citizens to pay a fee to become vendors and have a booth in the nonexistent events.