Residents Warned of Lottery Scam

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said two Chicagoland victims lost up to $90,000.

Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart is warning residents not to be fooled by scams where “winners” are told they are entitled to a large lottery cash prize without ever having purchased a ticket.  Scammers are reaching their victims, who are often senior citizens, via telephone calls, faxes, emails and letters to tell them about their “jackpot.” Some of these letters include phony seals and certificates. To collect, however, money needs to be sent either via Western Union or cashier’s check to a foreign address to pay for additional taxes and/or handling charges.  The scammer may also contact the victim again and mention there was a mistake on the tax calculation and more money must be sent.  During the last six months, an 80-year-old …

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