Lottery ticket scam costs victim $19,000

May 7, 2017, 12:05 pm (20 comments)

Scam Alert

Includes video report

HAINES CITY, Fla. — Haines City police are looking for the pair who used the promise of a Florida Lotto payoff to scam a man out of $19,000.

According to investigators, they met the victim at a Family Dollar store. Police released surveillance video of the three men together. 

The men told the 42-year-old victim they had a winning lottery ticket worth $750,000, but they said they couldn't claim it because they're not here legally. They told him if he gave them $19,000 cash, they would give him the winning ticket.

The man agreed to get the cash, so the suspects drove him to two banks and waited for him to make the withdrawals. But then the suspects took off with his cash, and now police have released photos of them in hopes that someone can help identify them.

"If you think it is too good to believe, it is. No one is giving money away," said Haines City Deputy Police Chief James Elensky. "I just want [the suspects] to know that we are coming after them." 

The victim described the suspects' vehicle as a newer model black Dodge Journey with after-market rims. The driver of the was described as a Hispanic male with a dark skin complexion. The second suspect was described as a skinny Hispanic male with a light skin complexion.

Police say the suspects communicated with the victim in Spanish throughout the entire incident.

The Haines City Police Department is asking anyone with information to contact Detective Chris Colon at 863-632-2647, or the Haines City Police Department at 863-421-3636 ext.2239 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). A cash reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.

VIDEO: Watch the report

Fox13, Lottery Post Staff

Comments

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Green laughGreen laughGreen laughGreen laughGreen laugh

NeedyNotGreedy

Now I know the meaning of a fool and his money...lol

noise-gate

42 year old..oh please.

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on May 7, 2017

42 year old..oh please.

Type I don't know which is worse,

that fact that hes 6 years younger then me or the fact it happen in a family dollar store Green laugh

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by hearsetrax on May 7, 2017

Type I don't know which is worse,

that fact that hes 6 years younger then me or the fact it happen in a family dollar store Green laugh

l could somewhat "understand" if it's a person in their late 70-90's, who is thoroughly conned by a professional.But 42 years old? What's more surprising is going to the Authorities, and in the process showing  them your idiocy.

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on May 7, 2017

42 year old..oh please.

I had a pre-conceived notion that this was an elderly man. 

 

Guess you are never to young to be scammed.

MaximumMillions

Quote: Originally posted by Bleudog101 on May 7, 2017

I had a pre-conceived notion that this was an elderly man. 

 

Guess you are never to young to be scammed.

Or too dumb to believe someone would give up 750k for 19k. Green laugh

Did he really believe they would gift him 731k? Really? For that kind of money you can find somebody else to cash it in for you or hell, take it and be deported. Seriously.

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by MaximumMillions on May 7, 2017

Or too dumb to believe someone would give up 750k for 19k. Green laugh

Did he really believe they would gift him 731k? Really? For that kind of money you can find somebody else to cash it in for you or hell, take it and be deported. Seriously.

The following thoughts went through my mind when l read this article..

Did these con men show him the ticket or did he simply believe them because they spoke Spanish?

If you savvy enough to save $19K why are you then foolish to part with it on the word of total strangers?

Does he really think that when & if these guys are arrested that they going to find $19K on them?

noahproblem

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on May 7, 2017

The following thoughts went through my mind when l read this article..

Did these con men show him the ticket or did he simply believe them because they spoke Spanish?

If you savvy enough to save $19K why are you then foolish to part with it on the word of total strangers?

Does he really think that when & if these guys are arrested that they going to find $19K on them?

Heck if he's that foolish to give away $19K he might just be foolish enough to think he's still going to get the $750K if they get these guys...

MaximumMillions

Maybe he won a $19k scratcher in front of them and he thought he had a lucky streakConehead

noise-gate

He probably hightailed it home to get this outImage result for wont get fooled again in order to recover from a self inflicted wound.

music*'s avatarmusic*

 I see it as American Greed on both sides. The ignorance of the victim. The self-hatred of the criminals. Crime does not pay. Will the criminals declare the $14,000.00 on their tax form? 

 Crazy

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by music* on May 7, 2017

 I see it as American Greed on both sides. The ignorance of the victim. The self-hatred of the criminals. Crime does not pay. Will the criminals declare the $14,000.00 on their tax form? 

 Crazy

It's quite possible that these characters under discussion have never heard of PT Barnum but..

He wrote " The desire for wealth is nearly universal, and none can say it is not laudable, provided the possessor of it accepts its responsibilities, and uses it as a friend to humanity."- The Art of Money Getting.

Stack47

I read the article three times and I'm speechless.

How could anybody be so stupid?

Subscribe to this news story