Monday, April 15, 2013
Resident Warns Of Sweepstakes Scam
A Summertown man wishes to warn residents of a scam circulating in the area that promises sweepstakes winnings.
According to reports filed through the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, the complainant, age 70, reported to deputies that he had been contacted by telephone.
He said that on Friday a man who identified himself as David Sawyer told him he represented Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes.
Sawyer asked the complainant whether he had returned a sweepstakes form. He told deputies that although he has not sent in a form in years, he told the man he had.
Sawyer then told him that his name had been drawn as a second place winner. He said the win entitled him to receive $2.5 million as well as a 2013 Mercedes Benz.
Sawyer began to question the complainant about the color of car he wished to receive, and whether he preferred that the presentation of his winnings remain private or be made public.
Sawyer instructed the victim to purchase at Walmart two Money Pak green dot cards in amounts of $500 and $250. He said that they would then meet him in the store’s parking lot to convey his winnings.
The complainant told Sawyer that he would need to check with police officials in order to verify that this was a legitimate win. Sawyer told him there was no need to do so, assuring him that his call was completely legitimate.
The complainant told Sawyer that he would need to stop by his bank to withdraw money and that he would then purchase the cards. He asked for, and was given, a telephone number to call, once he had the cards in-hand.
Once he had ended the call, the complainant requested to have the matter documented. He told deputies he was hopeful that making the public aware of the scam would prevent others from becoming victims.
