Newtown police said June 15 they are seeking the public's assistance in investigating a fraudulent scheme in which a telephone solicitor falsely claims to be collecting money on behalf on their police dog unit.

Based on a complaint from a resident, police detectives have started an investigation into a telephone solicitor's false claim that he is a police K-9 officer who is collecting money for the K-9 unit. The solicitor indicates that he would personally pick up such donated money at a pre-arranged time and place, according to police.

In a statement, town police said they are not engaged in any such fundraising project.

Detectives have developed leads in the case concerning the fraudulent activity, police said. Police ask anyone who is the victim of such fraudulent fundraising activities to contact Detective Daniel McAnaspie at the police station at 203-426-5841.