Fake lottery scam targets truckers in northern Utah

WILLARD, Box Elder County — Willard police are warning of a scam they say is targeting truckers and ends with robbery and assault.

They're also hoping someone out there can help them find the suspects behind it.

Willard police officer Jordan Harper says at least some of these guys claim to be truckers themselves who just won the lottery, and they want to give back.

One truck driver told police he was targeted Tuesday at approximately 4:30 p.m. at a Flying J in Willard.

"(He reported) that a group of individuals came up to him, said that they had won the lottery, and they were giving money out to truck drivers," Harper said of the incident. "They were asking for the truck drivers to pull out their cash to see how much they had, and then they would double it. And for some individuals, they were giving $200 out."

While that sounds like a pretty good deal, once the trucker pulled out his cash, Harper said that's when it all changes. "They would take it out of their hands and begin counting it to make it seem like they were going to double the money," Harper said.

That's when another man stepped in. "Kind of pull them away from where our (persons of interest) are, to gain that distance."

And just like that, the money is gone.

Police said there were reports of other men telling people at the truck stop that someone was giving money to truckers, possibly to attract people to the scheme.

"We do want to warn the public, when they are out at the gas stations in that please be cautious and alert that people are out there doing that. Sometimes, things are too good to be true," Harper said.

The police department released photos of the persons of interest and is asking the public to look for two camper setups the men may have been traveling in.

If you have any information about this case, you can contact the Willard Police Department through Box Elder County Dispatch at 435-723-6890.

Related topics