As an Army vet and former Norfolk sheriff's deputy, Tom Melling has seen it all when a scam email popped into his inbox.
"After spending six years in law enforcement in the Norfolk sheriff's office, I was not surprised one bit that I got this," Melling said.
The sender asked him to email his personal information. Then, the person on the other end promised to send him $1.5 million dollars.
Melling says he didn't buy it, and knew what red flags to look for.
"I see it all the time on Channel 3. I just don't want anyone else falling into their traps," he said.
Plus, from his experience as a sheriff's deputy, he knew all signs pointed to a scam.
"99% percent of these are scams. Just like when people call you at the house and say 'I'm collecting for such and such," he said.
He feels its his responsibility to notify others who could fall for the scam.
"Both my obligations have no expiration date. Even though I'm retired from the sheriff's department, there's no expiration date on the oath that I took. My oath is my bond so I can't break that," Melling told News 3.
Virginia Beach Police say they haven't seen an increase in scams lately.
