Scammers have hit many Wetzel County senior citizens.
On Thursday morning, they almost got another victim.
But someone intervened just in time.
In all cases, the scammers have clearly done their homework.
They call elderly people and tell them they've won a sweepstakes, and all they have to do is pay the "taxes."
Then they say they'll send them their millions in winnings.
They instruct them to go to Wal Mart and wire them the so-called tax money.
"In this latest case, they asked for $10,000," said Chief Deputy Rob Haught of the Wetzel County Sheriff's Department. "They told the person it was to cover the taxes on their winnings. And as soon as they receive the $10,000, they would release the rest of the $2.5 million. This person was lucky enough to have an in-home caregiver who realized that it was a scam."
Wetzel County Chief Deputy Rob Haught says the authorities know where the calls are coming from.
"Caller ID is coming up with a number from Kingston, Jamaica, which makes it very difficult for us to do an investigation," said Haught. "These people tend to operate from a fixed location for a few days then move on."
In some cases, they claim they represent the Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes.
But authorities point out that Publishers Clearinghouse will never call and ask you for money.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WTRF. All Rights Reserved.
