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Sweepstakes Scam

DATE & TIME: 05-01-2018 @ 1700

LOCATION: Wymore, Nebraska

OFFENSE: Sweepstakes Scam

CASE #: 2018-1954

A resident of Wymore, Nebraska called a Gage County Sheriff’s Office investigator after she had received a telephone call from a “Thomas Peterson” at phone number 214-967-7193, who claimed to be working with the sheriff’s office in order to award her sweepstakes prize money. The victim had previously lost money on a sweepstakes scam and had changed her telephone number as a result of that incident. The suspect told her all the people who had scammed her had been caught and he was trying to get her prize winnings to her, if she would just pay a fee to get the process started. He then asked her for her bank account number, but she refused to give it to him.

She stated she was aware this was a scam, but was concerned because it appeared the suspects from the previous case had located her again. After confirming with her she had not lost any money on this incident, the investigator advised her to notify her bank and to not send any money to anyone on this matter.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office investigator notified the police chief in Wymore of the call to the Gage County Sheriff’s Office. The Wymore police chief had a Wymore police officer dispatched to her residence to take a report.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office urges residents to be wary of people claiming to offer rewards, prizes, or money, particularly if they ask for money or some other form of payment to collect a prize. Do not give out any personal, confidential, or financial information to persons over the phone, vial e-mail, or mail, unless they are from a reputable business that can be confirmed independently of their statements. Other warning signs are when the suspect urges secrecy or privacy, or there is an urgent need or demand to make a decision immediately.

Anyone who receives a scam phone call can call their local police department or call the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and ask to speak with an investigator.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310