Nigerian Spam

Police are now warning residents of a scam, which cost one woman here more than $5,000.
The scammers called the woman this week claiming she had won a $250,000 sweepstakes and asked to send $2,800 to a Canadian location to cover income taxes charges.

Another day the woman was asked to send another $2,900 that she sent via a wire service, police said. Before she sent another $2,700 to the scammer, a friend intervenes and called police.The scheme is known to be Advance Fee Fraud or 419 Scam, and police warn that lawful sweepstakes and lotteries do not use such tactics. Generally, victims are asked to send a small amount of money with the promise of a larger prize.

Anyone who had lost money to one of such schemes may call police and anyone with information about this recent incident is asked to call Ormond Beach police at 386-677-0731 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-8477.