74-Year-Old Johnston County Man Scammed Twice, Loses $10,500
JOHNSTON COUNTY – A 74-year-old man from western Johnston County has fallen victim to two separate scams over the past three years, resulting in a total financial loss of $10,500.
According to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, the first scam began when the victim met a young woman on Facebook roughly three years ago. What began as an online romance soon turned into a costly scheme. The woman repeatedly requested money for various expenses, and the man sent between $100 and $200 at a time. Over the years, he sent a total of $10,000 before realizing he had been deceived.
In a second, unrelated scam in August, the man received a phone call from someone claiming to be with Publishers Clearing House, informing him he had won $18 million and a Mercedes-Benz. However, to claim the prize, he was told to pay a processing fee by sending a $500 Amazon gift card.
Shortly afterward, the scammer demanded an additional $5,000 to cover taxes on the supposed winnings. The man became suspicious at that point and refused to send more money.
The lost funds could not be recovered.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents, especially seniors, to be cautious of unsolicited messages or phone calls involving requests for money, gift cards, or personal information. They also urge loved ones to talk to elderly family members about common scam tactics to help prevent further victimization.
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7 Comments
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Where’s the families to educate their elders about these scumbags out there stealing their hard earned life savings. It’s sad
Are you kidding? Too busy, they are.
Forget Voter ID — I want voter *IQ* tests. This guy probably votes!
How do these people have so much money to just hand over?
Children keep a eye on your parents..
Very tech savvy senior here. Being scammed or having someone to attempt to scam you has NOTHING to do with IQ. Sonetimes it’s just lonliness, sometimes it’s believing the best in people (our generation for the most part was taught this from an early age) and sometimes it’s dementia. Agree that family or friends need to help out. And be more away of what the seniors in your life are doing on the internet.
As Much As It’s Spoken/Shown/Heard all over the place EVERYONE needs to be attentive in everything that deals around this issue. As much as technology has grown and improved these Thieving Demons still get around security. I’m not understanding how the government has no resources on how to find these people. But be on every drug bust on the interstate obtaining unbelievable amounts of drug money and use it for their personal gain. Let’s Do Better People.