Scammers stole more than $400,000 from a woman through an elaborate Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes scam: police

Sat, 04/27/2024 - 16:19

A woman pulling $20 bills from a wallet. — Scammers took $400,000 from a woman who thought she won a $3 million sweepstakes.
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Scammers reportedly tricked a woman into believing she won $3 million, then stole $400,000 from her.
They targeted the woman because she was elderly and showing early signs of dementia, police say.
The FTC has urged vigilance against sweepstakes scams that demand upfront payment.

Scammers in Florida tricked a woman into thinking she won $3 million, then stole $400,000 from her bank account.

Police arrested Michael Lawrence and Max Richards in connection to the scam, but were only able to recover around $40,000 of the money, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a press conference on Friday, according to Fox 13.