Gilroy resident loses $20,000 in a con that has happened in
Morgan Hill
Morgan Hill Police are again warning residents to beware of a scam that targets older victims after a 67-year-old Gilroy resident was tricked out of $20,000.
The scam is a common one that has been used successfully in Morgan Hill before: A victim is approached by a suspect claiming to have a lottery ticket they cannot cash in because of their status as an illegal alien. A second suspect often joins in, Booten said. For example, a suspect will appear to “overhear” the conversation and then offer to help out, too. In the recent incident, which took place Monday, two males joined the female suspect, described as Hispanic, in her 20’s or early 30’s.
The suspect offers to sell the false winning lottery ticket to the victim for cash, typically less than what the ticket is supposedly worth. The suspects then pocket the cash – in this case $20,000 – for a ticket that is worth nothing.
Morgan Hill Police Cmdr. Terrie Booten said the Gilroy resident was shopping on Tenth St. in Gilroy when approached by the female suspect. The female and the two male suspects then escorted the victim to several banks in Gilroy and Morgan Hill to withdraw the cash. After the last withdrawal in Morgan Hill, Booten said, the female suspect surreptitiously took the money envelope and the three suspects fled.
“The police department again reminds anyone who is approached in person, by the telephone or via e-mail about assisting someone with any kind of winnings, inheritance or game to be very cautious in participating,” Booten said. “Talk to your children and elderly parents about these kinds of scams and make them aware of such a scam.”
Booten said the scam was last successful in Morgan Hill, as far as police know, in April; the victim lost $4,600.
Booten cautioned residents to be aware these scam artists can surface anywhere.
“Some artists operate via the Internet, the telephone and in person,” she said. “If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”
Sometimes victims of scams are reluctant to come forward because of embarrassment, but Booten encouraged anyone who has been approached to come forward, and anyone who witnesses suspicious activity near financial institutions and shopping malls to report it to police.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at [email protected].
