Women charged in multi-state check scam

Cynthia Gilley and Bethany Sherfey of Telford were arrested and charged with felony criminal simulation. Police say both could also face a combined 1,300 counts of forgery.

Jonesborough police Chief Craig Ford said the women mailed 650 checks within the past 30 days totaling more than $3.5 million.

According to Ford, the women created fake checks and mailed them to potential victims found through e-mail. Each recipient was instructed to cash the check at their local bank, keep 10 percent for the trouble and send the rest on to an address.

“Right here, hometown front porch America, and we have two individuals doing this kind of scam,” Ford said. “The Internet made it possible for them to be able to do that.”

Police say the scam remains under investigation.