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Scam artists target elderly

Scam artists target elderly By Carlos Suarez Story Created: Mar 15, 2010 at 6:09 PM EDT Story Updated: Mar 15, 2010 at 6:09 PM EDT FORT MYERS, Fla – The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is warning a growing number of elderly victims are falling prey to a bogus check cashing scheme. Investigators say the mailings often involve winning a foreign lottery or sweepstakes or letters promising a high return on investments overseas. The victims deposit the fake check and wire the money before banks have time to notify them of the forgery. If you find a suspicious mailing call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office fraud line at (239) 477-1242. Previous article Teacher’s aide resigns after arrest Next article Fridays rain may bring some biting bugs

March 15, 2010 | Posted in Naples News | Read More »

Accused scratch-off thief returns to same store

BARTOW, Fla. (AP) — A Winter Haven man was arrested after authorities said he took a winning scratch-off ticket back to the store he had stolen it from a day earlier. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that a 22-year-old man stole $70 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets from a Circle K store on Sunday. One of the tickets revealed a $50 prize. When the man went back to the store on Monday to claim the money, a clerk who was aware of the theft asked the man for his driver’s license and wrote down the information. The clerk called the authorities, and deputies went to arrest the man. He was charged with retail theft and later released on $250 bail. — Information from: News Chief, http://www.polkonline.com