Danville Police detectives are looking for information in connection with a lottery scam run on an individual earlier this week.
The incident occurred Thursday sometime after 1:30 p.m. The victim was approached by a couple at a local shopping center. The female claimed to be an illegal immigrant who had a winning lottery ticket and needed the victim’s help in claiming her winnings. The victim was offered a portion of the lottery winnings in exchange for their help.
The victim agreed and accompanied the suspects to several banks in San Ramon and Danville. The victim withdrew a significant sum and gave it to the suspects. When the pair received the last of the victim’s money they quickly walked away from the victim and did not return.
The suspects are described as:
- A Hispanic mal, in his 60’s, 5-foot-3, grey hair and wearing tan pants.
- A Hispanic female, in her 60’s, 5-feet, black hair, wearing a green or yellow hat.
Danville residents are warned to be on the lookout for scams of this nature. Other variants of this scam include the "advanced fee lottery scam" and the "overseas bail scam."
In the lottery scam, a victim is informed that they have won another country’s lottery but must pay fees and taxes before the cash can be released. In the bail scam, a victim is informed that a relative or loved one has been arrested and needs to have funds sent to them to get out of jail.
“These are situations where if it seems too good to be true, it most likely is,” said Danville police chief Steve Simpkins. “We recommend that if someone approaches or contacts you in this way, you should contact the police immediately.”
Anyone with information regarding this case or similar instances should contact Detective Anthony Perry at 925-314-3710 or aperry@danville.ca.gov.
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This would be the same as offering someone waterfront property in the desert!