Sheriff Releases Pics, Issues Warning Of Lottery Scam
Wednesday, November 01, 2006 posted 10:50 AM EST
The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office released more photos Tuesday of a man they said is using fraudulent lottery tickets to scam Bay Area residents.
The photos come with a reminder from authorities to be careful.
Authorities said the man told his victims that he won a substantial amount of money in a California lottery game, and he would sell them the ticket at a discount price.
The man told his victims that he needed the money immediately for a family emergency and he is in America illegally so he cannot clam the winnings, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.
The thief allegedly encouraged the victims to call the phone number on the back of the ticket to verify the winnings.
Unbeknownst to the victims, the number on the fake ticket belonged to one of the suspect’s associates, who confirmed the winning ticket, authorities said.
Detectives said the scam has occurred multiple times in the Bay Area during the last two years and it has cost victims tens of thousands of dollars.
The thief is described as a Hispanic man, 33 to 35 years old, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 170 pounds. He has brown eyes, black hair and a light complexion.
He is believed to have an unknown associate.
Anyone with information concerning this case is encouraged to contact sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Dean Baker at 408-808-4500.
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