Community Corner
Towamencin Woman Swindled Out of $92K in Lottery Scam
The elderly victim was informed she won $4.5 million in an overseas lottery and had to forward funds to pay for the luxury tax, police said.
Towamencin Township Police said an elderly woman was the victim of a lottery scam that swindled her out of $92,000.
The fraud, police said, began in August 2013, but the victim contacted police about the scam on Wednesday.
The victim received a phone call in August informing her she won $450,000 in an overseas lottery, police said. The winnings then increased to $4.5 million, police said.
The victim was told that the U.S. Department of Justice would be handling the luxury tax required to be paid prior to receiving the winnings, police said.
The victim was given names and numbers of supposed Department of Justice employees, police said.
Police said the victim had used a credit card and a line of credit to forward the funds out of the United States prior to realizing the fraud.
Police urge residents to call police if they receive phone calls advising them they won a prize or cash and requiring a credit card, bank account information or other personal details.
Call Towamencin Township Police at 215-368-7606 with any information on this fraud.
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