Elderly victim lured into car, robbed of life savings in sick lottery scam

The story of an elderly woman, tricked into a car and robbed of her life savings by a sick lottery scam, now serves as a stark warning for everyone in Santa Ana.

On March 19, a 75-year-old woman was walking to her car near Raitt Street and McFadden Avenue when two women approached her.

They claimed to have a $2.7 million winning lottery ticket but said they could not cash it because of their immigration status, according to the Santa Ana Police Department.

The women convinced the victim to get into their car, then drove her to her home, where they swindled her out of $45,000 in cash and jewelry as collateral if she cashed in the lotto ticket.

“They get into the suspect’s car, and they drive her back to the victim’s house, where the victim then proceeds to give them about $45,000 worth of cash and jewelry as collateral, and the suspects take off,” said Natalie Garcia, public information officer for the department.

Garcia stated that this type of scam frequently targets elderly residents.

“They approach elderly people and victimize them, knowing that many are retired and may have money at home. These individuals are specifically targeted,” she added.

The suspects fled in an older model gray Ford Escape with chrome rims.

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