COCONUT CREEK, Fla. — Police officers are warning the public to remain vigilant after a South Florida senior was scammed out of thousands of dollars.
According to authorities, an 85-year-old Coconut Creek resident received a phone call that she had won a prize.
“I was supposed to get $7 million and a car,” the victim told officers.
Police said family members of the victim contacted them after she sent two checks, one for $2,500 and one for $1,000, to alleged scammers in Washington state.
Then, on Friday, officers had to intervene as the woman was about to send more money to suspected scammers. They found her at a pottery class and stopped her before she could send it.
“In this particular case, the elderly resident had already completed a series of financial transactions when her family discovered that she was getting ready to pass more money,” said Coconut Creek Police Department Detective Clint Corey.
Corey had advice for residents who end up being contacted by scammers.
“Just don’t answer the phone, force the caller to leave a message,” he said. “And then you can decide how you want to respond, and you can keep more money in your pocket at the end of the day.”
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