82-Year-Old Hickman Woman Loses $25,000 in Sweepstakes Scam

An old scam has resurfaced in Lancaster County and an 82-year-old Hickman woman to it. LSO Chief Deputy Ben Houchin says the woman received a call from someone who claimed to be with the Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes.

Houchin says the woman was told she won $5,000,000. “The problem was, the gentlemen said she had to pay for the taxes before getting the money.” He says the woman first sent two payments of $7,500 followed by $10,000 more.

Houchin says the victim drained her checking account and had to take money from her savings account to cover the costs. “The lady asked if she could get a loan to pay it and he said of course.” He says the man on the phone told her not to tell bank employees what the money was being used for…

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