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Release Date: January 03, 2006
Contact: Joseph I. Cassilly, State's Attorney, 410.638.3500, or Email statty@harfordcountymd.gov
PROSECUTOR WARNS SENIORS TO AVOID CANADIAN LOTTERY SCAM
Harford County State's Attorney Joe Cassilly is alerting Maryland seniors to hang up on telemarketers notifying the seniors that they have won the Canadian lottery. The warning comes after a 77 year old Aberdeen resident had $1,400 stolen. Aberdeen police were notified today by a local bank that the elderly woman was in the bank asking them to send an additional $1,400 to an address in Canada.
The woman explained to police that she was called several days ago and told that she had won a Canadian lottery drawing but that she needed to send money to cover certain costs of transferring the winnings. After she sent the first check for $1,400 she was contacted today and told to send another $1,400. An Aberdeen police officer went with the woman to her home and was present when she received another call from the scammers. The officer, representing himself as a relative of the victim, attempted to get the thief to meet him in person to accept the money. When the scammer became belligerent on the phone the officer identified himself and the scammer hung up.
Cassilly pointed out that there are numerous warnings posted on the internet about the "Canadian lottery scam." "Apparently, we need at least one more warning," said Cassilly, "anytime you are called or e-mailed with an offer of free money if you pay some costs, it is a scam, they will steal your money, do not become a victim. If you have already sent money contact the police and report the theft"
Aberdeen police are sharing the details of the latest incident with Federal authorities.
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