Greg's Corner

PCH Scam Foiled by 84-Year-Old Victim

By Greg Collier

An 84-year-old woman from Unity Township, Pennsylvania, became the unlikely key to unraveling a scam after realizing she was being targeted by criminals posing as representatives of Publisher’s Clearing House. With her cooperation, police launched a sting operation that ended with a high-speed chase and the arrest of two men accused of orchestrating the scheme.

The scam began with a phone call informing the woman that she had won $5 million and a Mercedes-Benz through Publisher’s Clearing House. In order to claim her supposed winnings, she was told she needed to pay $30,000 in taxes. A check for that amount soon arrived at her home, and the caller instructed her to deposit it and withdraw a portion in cash. She complied, withdrawing $9,500 and handing it over to a man who came to her door. The same thing happened the following day, and she lost a total of $19,000 before realizing she had been deceived.

Once she understood what was happening, she contacted Pennsylvania State Police. Investigators worked with her to set up a controlled drop. Officers waited in unmarked vehicles outside her home as the suspects arrived to collect more money. Instead of cooperating, the suspects fled at high speed, driving recklessly toward Lincoln Highway and nearly causing a head-on crash. Police ended the pursuit but issued a regional alert.

The vehicle was later spotted by troopers along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It only stopped after spike strips were deployed. Both suspects fled on foot, dropping bags as they ran, but were eventually captured. Inside the discarded bags, officers found evidence linking the men to the scam, including a driver’s license from New Jersey that matched the name on the $30,000 check.

This case highlights a familiar tactic in financial fraud, particularly those targeting older adults. Scammers often impersonate well-known companies like Publisher’s Clearing House to lend legitimacy to their claims. The promise of enormous prizes is designed to build trust quickly and create urgency, while the demand for upfront tax payments serves as the hook.

To avoid falling victim to this kind of fraud, people should remember that real prize organizations, including Publisher’s Clearing House, never ask winners to pay money to claim their prizes. Any demand for payment in advance is a red flag. Unsolicited calls announcing large winnings should be treated with skepticism, and no personal or financial information should be shared. If someone believes they are being targeted, they should contact law enforcement or a consumer protection agency immediately.

Thanks to the quick thinking and cooperation of the victim in this case, the suspects were arrested before they could strike again. But the broader threat of sweepstakes scams remains, and awareness is one of the best defenses.