10/8/2010
TIM UNRUH
An elderly Salina man told police he was scammed out of more than $3,800 by someone claiming to be with the Australian Lottery.
The west Salina man said he was informed by mail that he had won $1.95 million in the lottery and was given a number to call. The man called and was informed to send money, said Salina Police Capt. Mike Sweeney. Between Sept. 13 and Oct. 1, the man said he wired money in amounts of $500, $815.63 and $2,500, for a total of $3,815.63.
“He was sending a fourth transaction and was able to get it stopped,” Sweeney said.
The man received a phone call from a man who verbally abused him and demanded more money. When the victim said he had turned information over the police, the man said “ ‘What are they going to do? We’re not even in the U.S.,’ ” Sweeney said. “These types of cases are extremely difficult to investigate.”

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