Senior loses $152,000 in 'International Sweepstakes Lottery' scam

A Norfolk County senior was scammed, police say, out of $152,000after being told the seniorhadwon a $24.9Mlottery.

Norfolk CountyOPPsay the senior was contacted by phonebetween April2016 to Oct. 31, 2017. The unknown caller saidthe homeowner had won an International Sweepstakes Lottery valued at $24.9 millionUS, and would have to send money through wire transfers to cover taxes.

The wire transfers were sent to addresses in San Francisco and New Jersey, then subsequently transferred to a number of unknown individuals.

The OPParewarning people to hang up when calledby anyone who claims you'vewon a lot of money from a sweepstakes lottery or a new vehicle.

"Don't become a statistic," saidConst. EdSanchuk. "Fraud is a multi-billion dollar enterprise that will only stop when the scammers stop getting money, banking information or personal information.The best thing to do is to simply hang up the phone."

Police advisepeople who suspect they may be a fraud victim to contact local police andthe Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. You can find information on the latest scams on the Anti-Fraud Centre's website.