The GOP has been caught red-handed sending out fake census notices in at least two states in an attempt to raise money for President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign.

ABC News reports that “imitation census” mailers were sent out and labeled as a “2019 congressional district census” and informing recipients:

“President Trump has requested that a Census of every Congressional district be conducted immediately.”

But a close look at the form found in the mailer shows that it isn’t from the Department of Commerce, which oversees the census:

The letter is signed by Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and reads in part:

“To target voters in Bozeman and help ensure President Trump’s re-election … Your participation in this national effort will provide us with detailed data we need concerning Montana’s At-Large Congressional district.

“Most importantly, it will show Liberal Democrats in Congress, the radical special interests groups, and their Left-wing allies in the media that the American people support President Trump…even with the Democrats in control of the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Near the end of the letter from the RNC is a call for the recipient to send money to the party:

“The form urges recipients to ‘act today,’ impelling them to enclose $15 ‘to help pay for the cost of processing my Census Document’ if they cannot afford an additional donation, ranging from $25 up to $1,000.”

The fake 2020 census form has also been received by residents in Indiana, according to WTHR:

“The letter … comes with a form on cardstock that at first glance, looks like a real Census form, again with ‘2020 Congressional District Census’ right at the top.”

Asked why the RNC sent out such a misleading form, a Republican official remarked:

 “(The) mailers are clearly marked that they are from the Republican National Committee. The mailers receive an overwhelming positive response and we continue to send each year because it performs so well.”

In other words, the RNC will continue to try and fool people into helping the Trump 2020 campaign, no matter what underhanded methods they have to use.

Featured Image Via ABC News