BSO releases sketch in lottery scam

2 wanted for scamming elderly woman

OAKLAND PARK, Fla. – The Broward Sheriff's Office released a sketch on Wednesday of a woman wanted for using a lottery scam to steal $13,000 from an elderly woman.

The 73-year-old victim said she was approached by another elderly woman in front of the Publix at the North Ridge Shopping Center on Nov. 19, say investigators. The elderly woman asked the victim for help finding a business where she was going to process her green card.

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While the two were talking, a second woman, of whom the sketch was made, approached. The first woman then told the victim she had a lottery ticket worth $2 million and would share the winnings if the victim helped her find the business she was looking for.

The second woman offered to drive the others and while in the car, the victim called the number listed on the lottery ticket. A man, who investigators believe was an accomplice, answered and told her they would need cash and jewelry as collateral.

BSO said the driver took the victim to her home, where she got jewelry, and then to the bank, where she took out $12,300 in cash. When the victim returned to the car, the driver said the other woman wasn't feeling well, and that they needed to go to the pharmacy.

The victim went inside the pharmacy to get medicine with an envelope she was told had her money inside. Instead, the envelope had only a folded-up newspaper. The two other women then drove away in a dark, four-door sedan.

The first woman is described as about 70 years old, standing 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing about 130 pounds. She had blonde hair and was last seen wearing a yellow dress.

The second woman and driver is described as between 40 and 50 years old, about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing about 175 pounds. She told the victim she worked in real estate and spoke with a Puerto Rican accent.

Anyone with information about the scammers or who recognizes the woman in the sketch is asked to call BSO at 954-321-4255 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).