Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Leads to Recovery of Money Taken in Scam

(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------An Investigation by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office into a Sweepstakes Scam has led to the recovery of approximately $20,000 for the victim. 

Back on September 15^th of this year, a Deputy took a report from a victim in which the victim states that she received a call from Publisher’s Clearing House.  The caller stated that the victim had won $250,000 and a Mercedes-Benz vehicle.  However, the victim would need to pay approximately $20,000 to help cover any fees before the victim could receive her prize.

The victim went to her bank and withdrew the money in the form of a Cashier’s Check.  The check was sent, and after the check cleared, the victim realized that it was a scam.  The scammers attempted to contact the victim after the check was cleared, stating that more money needed to be paid before the prize could be released. 

The investigation was turned over to an Investigator assigned to the Financial Crimes Unit of the Criminal Investigations Bureau.  The Investigator obtained a search and seizure warrant on the bank where the check was deposited. 

The Investigator received word from the bank that the $20,000 had been seized.  A check was sent to the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office in order for the money to be returned from the victim.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation. 

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone that recovery of funds taken in scams is very rare and once money is lost, it is extremely difficult to recover those funds.  The Sheriff’s Office has issued Scam Updates in the past that have covered Sweepstake Scams.  The Sheriff’s Office would like to pass along these tips to avoid being a victim of any scam, including Sweepstake Scams:

·         Scammers are professionals at what they do and one of the best ways to avoid being scammed is to have as little contact with them as possible.  

·         Scammers like to create a sense of urgency in order to persuade a victim to do something which they ordinarily would not do otherwise.  Scammers also like to play with the emotions of a victim, such as in Sweepstakes Scams, where it appears a victim may be getting something with just a small investment.

·         If you do not recognize a number on your caller ID, do not answer the phone.  Answering the phone can also make you susceptible to more scams as scammers will know it is a working number.  Also, do not respond to e-mail’s, text messages or instant messages from anyone that you are not familiar with on a personal level.   

·         In order to win a sweepstakes, you have to enter a sweepstakes.  If you receive notification that you have won a sweepstakes, and have not entered, automatically presume it is a scam.