A Fenton area woman, who is in her 80s, lost more than $170,000 in a phone scam after she was told she had won prizes by a man claiming to represent the Publishers Clearing House, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reported.
The woman’s son reported the theft on Jan. 29. The woman and her son told investigators she began receiving telephone calls from an unknown number in July 2024, the report said.
A man calling from the unknown number had told the woman she had won prizes, but before they could be delivered, she would have to pay “taxes” on the winnings. The woman sent the man money over a six-month period, according to the report.
As of Jan. 30, the Sheriff’s Office was investigating the case to determine where the money was sent and who received the funds, Capt. Matt Moore said.
“Scammers often prey upon vulnerable persons, and prizes which appear ‘too good to be true’ often are,” Moore said. “If someone feels like they are a victim of a scam, they can always contact our office to speak with a deputy.”
Those who believe they are victims of a scam or who have been contacted by someone they believe is attempting to scam them should call the Sheriff’s Office at 636-797-5515.