KINGSLAND, Ga. -- After several residents received unsolicited packages of traveler's checks or money orders from Africa, Kingsland police have issued a fraud alert warning people that the documents are fraudulent and telling people not to attempt to cash them.

Police said that the packages that arrive either from the U.S. Post Office or from commercial delivery services ask the recipient to cash the checks or money orders, keep some of the money for their trouble and send the rest of the money to an address in Africa.

Police said that 15 Kingsland residents have received similar packages since July 15.

Kingsland police and law enforcement personnel at Naval Station Kings Bay are both warning residents about the scam and reminding people that attempting to cash fraudulent checks or money orders is a felony.

Visa recently issued an alert about $500 Visa-branded counterfeit traveler’s checks being sent to U.S. consumers with a request that the checks be cashed, a percentage retained by the recipient, and the balance sent to addresses mainly in Nigeria.

Anyone who receives such a package is asked to notify law enforcement in your area.