Nanaimo RCMP are investigating a Readers Digest Sweepstakes Mega Millions lotto scam in which a Nanaimo couple lost almost $400,000.
In early 2021, the couple, who are both in their late 80’s, received a phone call from someone who claimed they were working for Readers Digest.
According to the caller, they were calling the couple to notify them they had won $18.5 million and a Mercedes-Benz.
However, there was a catch. In order to receive their winnings, the couple would first pay a “few” administrative fees.
Several days later, the couple received documents in the mail from what appeared to be the Internal Revenue Services.
According to a release, the documents looked official and indicated the couple owed taxes on their winnings. They were directed to contact Mega Millions in order to arrange payment.
Every week following this, the couple received calls from the scammers directing them to make cash payments, through money orders.
According to the scammers, the money orders were required in order to pay the outstanding taxes on the winnings and cover the storage fees of the Mercedes-Benz.
Throughout the year, the couple’s cash payments totalled to almost $400,000.
“It also goes to show that if fraudsters believe they have convinced you of their legitimacy, they will not stop until essentially there is no more money to give or you figure out it is a scam,” said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
According to officers, the couple’s financial loss as a result of this scam is one of the largest they have ever seen in Nanaimo.
