A Butler Township man merits plaudits for not being fooled by a sweepstakes scam and then trying to ensure that no one else is "taken."

After receiving the supposed "winning prize certificate" for more than $3 million, the man in question didn't send the requested $20 processing fee. Instead, he took the credible-looking certificate to the township's police station for authorities' opinion on the so-called prize.

It didn't take long for the man to learn that he did not win more than $3 million and would instead be saving $20.

It's puzzling why many more people don't become suspicious that a sweepstakes capable of giving away a millions-of-dollars prize can't afford to release the prize without getting some money in return.

The certificate received in Butler Township came from the so-called "Las Vegas Actionable Award Program" of Las Vegas, Nev., the same sender of many other certificates that have reached mailboxes throughout the country.

In the aftermath of the township man's visit, the township police warned others to be leery of this and other bogus get-rich offers.

"If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true," said township Detective Sgt. John Hays.

Hopefully, the wise, suspicious township man has put this small savings to good use. At the very least, he had a few extra dollars available to be "stolen" at some gasoline pump.