KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — It started with a random call seven months ago, and today, a retired Navy chief has lost $100,000 to a scammer. The text read he had won a sweepstakes contest, but to receive the money and other prizes, he first had to pay taxes and fees. Once he sent that first dollar, the scammer had him hooked.
Riley Williams is 81 and a retired US Navy Chief Petty Officer. His children stepped in weeks before Williams could have lost the mortgage on his home to a scammer. Someone calling themself David Martin texted Williams in late January, informing him he was a sweepstakes winner. He claimed Williams had won $1 million and a red Ford Explorer with several years of free insurance and gas.
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“Two years insurance on the car, two years gas,” said Williams, who thought he’d struck it rich. “I was glad. It’s not every day something like that falls into your lap.”
To pay for taxes, the scammer wanted $500 in moneyPak cards from Walmart…