The Lynnwood Police Department has issued a warning regarding a roadside donation scam that has surfaced in the area, with individuals soliciting money for a young child's bone marrow transplant. Officers responded to reports of a group that was seen walking along the street, approaching cars and asking for donations while holding a sign featuring a photo of a sick child. The sign allegedly claimed that the child was a friend of the group members, further attempting to tug at the heartstrings of potential donors. Notably, the same sign and image have been spotted in Arizona and Oregon, suggesting that this scam is not isolated to Lynnwood but is part of a larger fraudulent scheme that has been traveling along the West Coast. In light of these developments, the police department has urged residents to be vigilant and to fully vet any charitable organization before making donations.

They specifically advised the public to only contribute to reputable charities to avoid falling victim to scams. This warning underscores the ongoing issue of fraudulent fundraising, especially during times of heightened charitable giving. As such scams can have significant emotional and financial impacts on the community, the police are taking proactive measures to keep the public informed.