Vocabulary

 

 
 
 

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Transcript

 
Criminals preying on our older loved ones are using sweepstakes fraud to bring in millions of dollars.

Taking Action Reporter Jackie Callaway shows us how this fraud works and what you can do to protect your parents and grandparents.

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At eighty (80), Betty Braddom lives independently, cooking, cleaning, and paying bills.

Debbie Lynch, Daughter: “So you went to another branch and took out $1,000?”

Or so her daughter thought.

She went to another branch and took out $1,500.

The woman who had saved pennies all her adult life spent $35,000 this past year . . .

Debbie Lynch, Daughter: “It just makes me so sad.”

. . . chasing a sweepstakes scam.

Betty Braddom, Scam Victim: “I was supposed to get $1.2 million from this sweepstakes I had.”

In May Debbie Lynch found her mom attempting to mail envelopes stuffed with $2,500 worth of money orders.

Debbie Lynch, Daughter: “My heart just sank when I saw all these different money orders.”

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That envelope was addressed to Michael Richie, who Betty was told was a federal agent facilitating the sweepstakes.

We caught up with Richie in Margate, Florida. It turns out the 68-year-old was just another victim chasing the same jackpot.

Michael Richie, Scam Victim: “She just sent $3,000 in postal money orders, and a few days later, she sent another $2,500.”

Michael Richie’s paperwork indicates he wired thousands of dollars of his own savings and money orders from others to Costa Rica.

Why?

To pay the fees on a million-dollar sweepstakes prize.

Michael Richie, Scam Victim: When they do have a sweepstakes, somebody wins the money. Somebody does win the money.”

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It all started with this notification letter indicating a law enforcement agent was overseeing the distribution of funds.

Even now, after losing $70,000 in three sweepstakes cons over the last few years, Michael refuses to recognize what everyone else can plainly see.

Reporter: “You’re still gonna keep doing sweepstakes?”
Michael Richie: “I don’t know. I put a lot of money in it now.”

Remember that $2,500 Betty never mailed? Well, during our interview, a man posing as a federal agent called looking for it.

Betty Braddom, Scam Victim: “Just a minute, let me ask my daughter about this. ‘Please send $2,500 to get my package.’”

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Sean Cadogan, General Magistrate: “This is my hearing room.

Sean Cadogan is the general magistrate who decides probate and guardianship cases involving seniors in Tampa. He often sees a connection between aging and a decline in the ability to make sound financial decisions.

Sean Cadogan, General Magistrate: “These people are slick. They know what they’re doing and how to hook them. They know how to get that person comfortable with them.”

In many cases, including Betty’s, victims hide the withdrawals from even their closest family members.

Debbie Lynch, Daughter: “Just don’t think that it can’t happen to you because these criminals are very convincing.”

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Some expert advice on how to protect your aging loved one:

Number one, you want to have conversations about this type of fraud before it even approaches them.

Number two, ask about the bank and having viewing-only access to their accounts — not actual access — just so you can see the activity.

Also if you suspect any older person has been the victim of abuse, call the state’s hotline at 1-896-ABUSE.

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Questions

 
Fraud, Cheat. The main victims of frauds and scams are little children and teenagers. True or false?

Steal, Theft. Does Betty Braddom, 80, live in a care facility and require assistance?

Lie, Deceive. By nature, is Betty a spendthrift? Does she spend lavishly on jewelry, home decorations, fine dining, and 5-star hotels?

Dishonest. Betty sent thousands of dollars to a sweepstakes organization in New York City. Is this right or wrong?

Treachery. Has Michael Richi learned his lesson?

Swindle, Rip Off. Do the scammers use sophisticated technology to rob their victims?

Con, Con Artist. It’s totally up to the older people to protect themselves from con artists. Is this correct or incorrect?
 
 
 
Slick, Manipulate. Have you received fake or suspicious emails, texts, unsolicited calls or invites?

Fine Print. Do you hear a lot about phone and online scams on the news and social media?

Honest, Trustworthy. What do your friends and colleagues say?

Clear, Transparent. Who commits cybercrimes, online and phone scams? What drives or motivates them?

Open, Clear. What has been the trend in cybercrimes, online and phone scams and cybersecurity?

Reputable. What might happen in the future?

Integrity, Probity. What could or should people, tech companies and authorities do?