WILL COUNTY SHERIFF WARNS CITIZENS OF PRIZE SCAMS

April 15, 2008
posted from Will County Sheriff's Department Website.

Will County Sheriff Paul Kaupas would like to inform citizens of recent scams targeting area residents through the mail and over the telephone. In the past several weeks, victims have contacted the Will County Sheriff’s Office after scam artists have convinced them they are the recipients of a large cash prize.

In one reported incident a 28-year-old Homer Glen resident received a convincing letter in the mail allegedly from Guaranteed Trust Alliance in London, England, which stated she was the prizewinner of $143,125.00. When the victim contacted the company by phone, she was instructed to deposit a $6,000 check that they had sent her “to cover prize winning expenses”, but she also needed to go to a Western Union and wire the company $3,000.00 to cover taxes and insurance on her “big winnings”, which she did. The victim continued to contact the phone numbers provided in the letter and sent another check through Western Union. She was preparing to send a third when she noticed an identical letter posted on the wall of the telegraph office indicating it was a scam.

The second incident involved a Homer Glen resident who received a phone call from the 404 area code telling him he won $400,000 through a magazine contest. The victim was told someone else would call him to arrange legal fees to claim his prize and received a call from the 646 area code. The victim sent $2550.00 to a man in Canada and later received another phone call asking for another legal fee payment. The victim became suspicious and contacted Will County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Paul Kaupas urges citizens to be wary of anyone contacting them about sweepstakes or prize contests they are not aware of entering. Never give out personal or financial information over the phone. Legitimate prize winnings do not require claim money up front. Anyone who receives a letter or phone call like this can contact the Attorney General’s Office or the Will County Sheriff’s Office to make sure they do not fall prey to these criminals.