A type of scam that has become increasingly common in Minnesota ended up costing a local woman about $12,000, recently.
According to a recent report by the Windom Police Department, on May 30 officers were dispatched to Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Windom to take the scam report. A Windom female resident told police that she was recently informed that she had won a Mercedes vehicle and that she would receive $7,000 a month until she dies from Publishers Clearing House.
The woman was advised the vehicle was already in Minnesota and all she had to do was to send gift cards with money on them, which she did. She also sent two checks for a total of $12,000 to the scammers, which were cashed, but she did not get the car or the money. The matter is still under investigation.
Share your scam story
Local law enforcement is concerned about the impact of scams on area residents, particularly the elderly.
Consequently, this newspaper works with local police and sheriff’s departments to keep residents updated on common schemes. Scam Alerts will appear in future editions as often as possible in the coming weeks.
Readers can also find online scam updates Tuesdays at windomnews.com.
If you have been the target of a scam, your first contact should be local authorities. Also, feel free to contact us with details (we can keep your name confidential).
Send your story to: rahnl@windomnews.com, or call 507-831-3455. By sharing, you could prevent someone from being scammed.
