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OREM, Utah (AP) - Orem authorities are warning people of a scam after a 79-year-old woman lost about $93,000.
They say the scam began with a letter in the mail claiming to be from the American Gaming Board. Police say it stated the victim had won $2.5 million.
To claim her prize, the claim agent -- a Mr. Mark Andersen -- told her over the phone she needed to send him some money so she could claim the much larger amount.
When she told him she didn't have it, Mr. Anderson deposited $13,000 into her bank account. The money actually came from her own credit card that was linked to the bank account number she had provided. She didn't discover that until she'd wired $80,000 for what she thought was her tax liability.
She never received any cash and ended up being bilked for $93,000.
Police say they want to get the word out to prevent others from being scammed.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
