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Theft By Deception

DATE & TIME: 05-23-2019 @ 8:12 am

LOCATION: Firth, Nebraska

OFFENSE: Theft By Deception     

CASE #: 2019-2625

A Gage County resident of rural Firth, Nebraska called the Gage County Sheriff’s Office to report that during April and May 2019 she was scammed out of somewhere between $35,000.00 to $54,000.00 by suspects contacting her and telling her she had won five million dollars in the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes. Over the course of the month long artifice, the victim sent cash to the suspects, one of who went by the anonym Michael and spoke with a Jamaican type accent, for fees and in preparation of receiving the award. At one point the victim, who is in her eighties, took out a loan from a bank to pay these fees.

An investigator followed up with the victim and made sure she understood this situation was a scam and for her to not send any more money to the suspects. The victim’s bank was contacted and advised of the investigation and an officer with the bank confirmed the victim had lost at least $34,000.00. The victim stated the suspects were very convincing and always had a justification or reason for requesting more money, at one point one of the suspects mislead the victim, stating she was an attorney and they would get the matter straightened out with “the head office”, and she would receive her prize money.  The victim was also told to keep the matter a secret and not let anyone know about her forthcoming award. She said the suspects switched the prize awarding company, claiming they were from American Cash Awards, working for Publishers Clearing House.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office urges residents to use caution when dealing with situations involving money, especially when being told or asked to send money in order to receive an award, cash, or product. If the person is asking for secrecy or threatening legal action, contact a trusted friend, family member, financial adviser such as banker or accountant, or call the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and ask to speak with an investigator.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310

Deputy D. Brydl #90311

Deputy S. Behrens #90317