HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011_02_04_Lottery Scam
BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE Greg Williamson, Chief of Police ________________________________________________________________________ Contact: Sergeant Mary DeGeare Public
Information Officer 661-326-3803 mdegeare@Bakersfieldpd.us For Immediate Release February 4, 2010 The Bakersfield Police Department would like to notify the community to be cautious
of a common Lottery Scam incident targeted at Spanish speaking victims. A 64 year old female victim reported on 1/25/11 she was shopping at Dee Dee's Discounts, 2693 Mt. Vernon Avenue
when she was approached by a Hispanic male HM, Mid 20's 508, 160 lbs. blue eyes, blonde curly hair, light complexion who introduced himself and spoke to her in Spanish. The victim said
the suspect told her he had just won a major state lottery prize; however, he had not been able to claim the prize because he was not legally in the country. The suspect asked victim
if she was a U.S. citizen and would be able to loan him money to facilitate claiming the prize. Victim said the suspect then spoke to a second man, who was conveniently standing nearby,
and asked him if he spoke Spanish. The second man stated he did and the suspect then explained the same situation to him. The second subject stated he would be happy to help him out
and encouraged the victim to do so as well. The suspect offered each of them a certain amount of money if they helped him. The second man told victim and the suspect he was a doctor
and worked at a local hospital and would loan the suspect whatever money he needed and that they could use his vehicle which was parked outside. Victim said the second man gently nudged
her toward the front of the store and all three of them walked outside to the second man's vehicle, which she described as a Newer blue 4 door compact The second man drove the victim
and the suspect to a bank nearby and went inside. The second man came back a few minutes later and displayed a large amount of money, placing it on the console in the vehicle. The victim
said they then drove to her residence where she obtained cash and other valuables at the urging of the second man and he combined it with the money he was contributing. They then drove
to a convenience store at Mt. Vernon Avenue and Christmas Tree Lane and used a ruse to get the victim to exit the vehicle. Both the suspect and the second man left with her money and
property when she was distracted. Anyone with information regarding this incident or these suspects is encouraged to call Sergeant Jon Scott at 326-3869.