SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an alleged scam that cost a man $200,000 over several months this year.
In May, a 77-year-old Salina man received a phone call claiming he won a "MegaMillions lottery ticket and brand new vehicle," according to Salina Police Lt. Andrew Zeigler on Friday.
The scammers told the man he needed pay a price for "legal fees and other reasons.
The man then sent $500 increments on various cash cards. As time passed, the man was then contacted by another individual stating the previous two callers were scammers. However, the caller told the man he needed to send money in order to recover the $500 previously sent.
The victim then sent an undetermined amount of money through cash cards to the new scammer. The scammer then persuaded him to purchase a new vehicle and then sell it. He was advised to then take the cash from the sold vehicle, and place it into a bank account.
As a result, the man could not find the money in the account after following through with the scammer’s instructions. The total loss resulted in over $200,000, according to Lt. Andrew Zeigler,
Police reminded the public to never believe anyone from a sudden phone call, stating you have won a lottery ticket and new a vehicle. It is a scam.
Additionally, if a caller informs you that the previous call was a scam and further states you need to send money to recover the funds you sent, it is a scam. It is a common scheme for scammers to work together to successfully follow through with the crime.