Bank Employee Foils Sweepstakes Scam

A bank employee who sensed a deal was too good to be true has saved an elderly Port Hueneme couple about $13,000 in a telephone fraud scam.

Last week, the couple told Port Hueneme police they were contacted by a woman who guaranteed them an $11-million sweepstakes prize--all they had to do was wire $12,999 to a Western Union outlet on the East Coast as “insurance,” according to Det. Sgt. Jerry Beck.

The caller told the unidentified couple they would receive their first check the following day, presented by two celebrities. All they had to do, the caller said, was keep quiet about the prize until after 2 p.m.--the time the money was to be wired, Beck said.

They fell for the ruse and contacted their bank to make a savings withdrawal, Beck said. While they were on the phone, they told a bank employee of their supposed good luck. The employee told them to call police.

They did not send any money.

According to FBI officials, it is not uncommon for such scams to surface this time of year--when Publishers Clearinghouse and American Family Publishers hold their national sweepstakes. The crooks make thousands of calls to unsuspecting people, trying to con them out of cash.

In January, an elderly Ventura woman was bilked for $1,300 in a similar scam.

Beck said everyone should be wary of calls requesting sweepstakes insurance up front and urges anyone who receives such a call to contact police.