Greg's Corner

Scam targets victims with false prize winnings

By Greg Collier

The advance fee scam is a type of fraud that involves enticing victims with the promise of a large sum of money in exchange for a relatively small upfront payment or fee. This scheme operates under various guises and narratives, but the underlying premise remains consistent. The victim is led to believe that they will receive a substantial financial reward, typically through inheritance, lottery winnings, or a business opportunity.

The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office has issued a warning about this scam that preys on the hopes and dreams of unsuspecting individuals, promising them large sums of money that simply do not exist.

The scheme unfolds with a phone call from someone claiming to represent the state office, informing the recipient that they have won a substantial cash prize. However, as one unfortunate Oklahoma resident discovered, these promises are nothing more than a cruel hoax designed to part victims from their hard-earned money.

One Oklahoma woman, whose mother fell victim to this scam, shared her family’s ordeal. Her elderly mother, eagerly anticipating a windfall of nearly a million dollars, was instead left devastated when the promised winnings failed to materialize. The scammers, using sophisticated tactics, convinced her mother that she needed to pay a fee to claim her prize. They even went so far as to fabricate a story involving law enforcement confiscating a supposed prize check, adding a layer of deceit to their ploy.

What makes this scam particularly nefarious is the manipulation of caller ID information, with the calls appearing as either “unknown” or originating from a local area code. In some instances, the fraudsters have gone as far as spoofing the official telephone number of the Attorney General’s Office itself, adding an air of legitimacy to their deceit.

Tragically, the elderly victim, like many others, succumbed to the pressure and parted with her money, leaving her not only financially depleted but also deeply embarrassed by her unwitting participation in the scam. As the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office rightly emphasizes, the Attorney General’s office is committed to protecting consumers, not exploiting them for financial gain.

To avoid falling victim to advance fee scams, it’s essential to exercise caution and skepticism when approached with unsolicited offers of financial gain. Be wary of requests for upfront payments or personal information from unknown parties, and always verify the legitimacy of any offers or claims independently. Additionally, familiarize yourself with common scam tactics and educate yourself on how to recognize and avoid fraudulent schemes.

Scammers often demand payment via wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or payment apps, making it difficult to trace or recover funds. Be wary of any demands for payment made over the phone.

Never divulge sensitive financial or personal details to unsolicited callers claiming to represent government agencies. If in doubt, hang up and contact the agency directly using a verified phone number.

Caller ID can be manipulated to display false information, including legitimate government agency numbers. Treat unexpected calls with skepticism and verify their authenticity independently.

By remaining informed and adopting proactive measures to protect personal and financial information, anyone can safeguard themselves against the predatory tactics of scammers seeking to exploit their trust and vulnerability. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.