An e-mail circulating in Pennsylvania warning of a "speeding ticket frenzy" involving state police is a hoax, according to state police.

According to a statement released Thursday, the hoax e-mail started in May 2005 in New Jersey and has targeted police in several states.

Versions of the e-mail forwarded to state police claim massive speed enforcement details are being set to pay troopers' overtime costs.

While police routinely set up speed enforcement details as part of highway safety programs, the department said it never uses traffic citations as a way to raise funds for the state.