The Morning Sentinel

March 16

Randolph couple scammed, authorities say

BY CRAIG CROSBY Staff Writer

BY CRAIG CROSBY

Staff Writer

A Randolph couple has lost nearly a quarter of a million dollars to scammers who promised them a financial windfall, according to police.

Kennebec County Sheriff Randall Liberty said Monday his office is investigating the fraud, which was reported to the sheriff's office and the Augusta Police Department last week by the victims' credit card company.

"The victims in this case believed that they had won a large prize," Liberty said. "They maxed out nine credit cards, withdrew retirement funds and emptied their savings in order to make the payments to this fraudulent company."

The sheriff said the scam began several months ago when a man with a Caribbean accent, who gave the name James Clark, mailed and called the couple telling them they had won $5.5 million.

Clark, who said he was president of the Winners International Corporation, said other prizes included a Mercedes-Benz automobile and $150,000 cash. He said his company had offices in Las Vegas; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Toronto.

"The mailing came complete with a list of previous winners and a copy of the $5.5 million check," Liberty said.

Clark told the couple they had to pay several thousand dollars in processing fees in order to receive the prizes.

The couple were asked for and made more than 21 additional payments.

All of the payments were sent via the U.S. Postal Service to address in West Palm Beach, Fla.; the Bronx, N.Y.; Stockbridge, Ga.; and Des Moines, Iowa.

"These funds were then transferred out of country," Liberty said.

Police learned of the scam when Bank of America noticed large withdrawals from the couple's account over the past several months.

Liberty said his office notified offices of the attorney general and district attorney and is working closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the investigation.

"It's really a tragedy," Liberty said. "This is their life savings. The probability of us retrieving their money internationally is low."

There may be other victims of this scam in the area, Liberty said, but often they are too embarrassed to report the crime.

The Randolph couple had to be convinced by police and family that they had been deceived. Liberty did not identify the couple, except to say their ages are 67 and 70.

"They still feel compelled to pay to receive the winnings," Liberty said. "It's taken some convincing to get them to stop."

Liberty encouraged anyone who questions an offer, or family concerned about a relative, to call his office at 623-3614.

"If it seems to good to be true, it is," Liberty said.

Craig Crosby -- 621-5642

ccrosby@centralmaine.com