Sinister Caribbean Lottery Scam Preys On Elderly

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) — A sinister scam is causing some victims to lose their entire life savings from thieves operating from a country an ocean away.

A special Jamaican Organized Crime Task Force is tracking down scammers who have cost unsuspecting Americans hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

They find all the tools of the trade. Cellphones, cash, and lists of phone numbers are used by suspects. Some go as far as driving a nail through their computers to disable them and destroy the evidence.

Boiler room operations target those who can least afford it — the elderly. One victim, who didn't wish to reveal her identity, wants to warn others.

"Don't fall for the scheme," she said.

For her, it all started with a letter complete with what appeared to be an authentic Publishers Clearing House logo, claiming she won $2 million dollars.

"I thought this has to be valid," she said. "This is just going to set me up for the rest of my life."

But it came with a catch. To claim the prize, she would have to send about $7,400 to cover "processing, shipping, and handling fees." She sent the money, but her jackpot never appeared. Instead she was bombarded with phone calls asking for more money.

"This was a very smooth talking man, but he called me sweetie and said he was a minister," she said.

Chris Irving, with Publishers Clearing House, said they've joined law enforcement to shut the schemes down.

"These scam artists think they are safe offshore," he said. "We hope the message is 'you're going to be arrested, you're going to be convicted if you continue to do this'."

Some cases have been so severe that victims have been driven to suicide.

Alberto Poland, an 82-year-old from Tennessee, was told he won the Jamaican lottery. Over years, he sent tens of thousand of dollars to scammers. Last March, after being asked for more money, he killed himself.

The calls kept coming, recorded by his devastated family.

"My word is my bond so when we come over with your $2.5 million and your car it's going to be delivered directly to your doorstop," the scammers said.

The family of the victim continues to cope with the tragic loss.

"They took my life. When they took him, they took my life too," said man's wife Virginia Poland.

All victims agree if it can happen to them, it could happen to anyone.

"Don't fall for any of it. It's too good to be true," one said.

Experts warn to not believe any prize offer that require a fee to be paid upfront. They said to end communication with scammers immediately and report the matter to the Federal Trade Commission.