Florida sheriff’s message to scam suspect: ‘I hope and pray there’s a special place in hell for you’

The Brief

  • A New York woman was arrested for posing as a Publishers Clearing House employee to scam an elderly Volusia County woman out of $30,000, authorities said.
  • Authorities believe she was part of a larger operation and continue investigating other suspects.
  • PCH officials and law enforcement warn the public that real sweepstakes never require upfront payments.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Publishers Clearing House (PCH) is taking a stand against scammers posing as its employees to target vulnerable individuals.

‘A special place in hell for you’

What we know:

One of the latest victims of an alleged Publishers Clearing House scam, an 85-year-old woman from Volusia County, was tricked into believing she had won a million-dollar prize but had to pay taxes upfront.

Authorities say Shania Baptiste, a New York resident, posed as a PCH representative and scammed the woman out of $30,000. Baptiste was arrested and extradited to Florida, where she now faces charges.

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