By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
SOLEBURY — Elation turned to heartbreak for an elderly Solebury Township man when his supposed millions of dollars in prize-winnings turned out to be a scam that cost him nearly $34,000.
The 80-year-old thought he was going to receive $2.5 million in prize money. But first, a con artist told him, he had to wire money to cover related fees before he could receive the grand prize. By the time it was over, the man had wired a total of $33,790.60 via 21 separate transfers, according to Solebury police.
The scam artist phoned the man numerous times, “every weekday for the month of July, creating a false sense of familiarity that caused the victim to make 21 Western Union money transfers totaling approximately $34,000,” Detective Cpl. Roy G. Ferrari said in a statement.
The man thought his “prize” was the result of one of the numerous postcards or forms he was in the custom of filling out, according to police.
Police Chief Dominick Bellizzie said he was uncertain exactly what type of form the man had filled out that might have led the con artist to him. “The man said he filled out different things at different times,” he said.
Eventually the man realized that his millions were not going to arrive. The “victim reported this crime to Solebury Township Police Department when the two men delivering the $2.5 million did not show up at his house with the money,” according to the statement issued by police.
A friend advised the man to report the crime to police, Chief Bellizzie said.
Police are continuing the investigation, but answers concerning who is behind the crime, and where the money eventually ended up, may be tough to track down.
”It’s going to be hard,” Chief Bellizzie said. “It’s a difficult situation once you’ve sent money out in that way. We won’t let it go because it’s a significant amount of money, but it’s going to be tough. It’s going to take time.”
The phone calls appear to have been made from the Washington, D.C., area, but the scammers could have used technology to mask the actual area code. Chief Bellizzie suggested they might have used a “drop cell phone,” which is a disposable throwaway.
The man was instructed to wire the money to various locations, including Connecticut, Texas and Jamaica, Chief Bellizzie said.
”If you have to send money, then generally it’s going to be a scam,” the chief said. “As soon as you have to start sending a significant amount to anybody, that should send up a red flag.”
Anyone who gets a similar call should discuss the details with a friend, their attorney or even the police, Chief Bellizzie said. Police would rather take the time to check it out and prevent a crime than have a crime, he said.
”Residents are urged to check on the elderly, regarding their receiving any unusual, unexpected or suspicious information by phone or mail,” police said in the statement.
”Concerned family and friends should provide a residential telephone for the elderly that has incoming call memory. This could provide a record of all incoming calls that can reveal suspicious toll-free area codes and foreign area codes associated with these fraudulent acts,” police said.

