U.S. Prize Notice Scam Targeting Elders Costs Victims $1.5 Million

On April 28, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that Barbara Trickle, an 80-year-old Nevada woman, pleaded guilty for defrauding thousands of seniors through a prize notice fraud scheme.

Between 2012 and early 2018, Trickle and her co-conspirators prepared and sent millions of fake prize notices to make victims believe they had won cash prizes that could be claimed for a fee of only $20 to $50.

No victim ever received the “cash prize” from the scammers, but instead received sweepstakes chances or cheap trinkets. And the scammers repeatedly sent additional scam messages to people who had responded to the fraudulent mailings.

In this way, Trickle and her co-conspirators scammed victims out of $1.5 million.

Trickle, the owner of a print and mail company, was responsible for printing and sending the fraudulent mail in this scam.

U.S. authorities warn people to beware of fake lotto, prize notification, sweepstakes, and psychic scams. Do not respond to phone calls, letters, or e-mails that ask you to pay to secure a prize.

Also, scammers often use official-looking names or steal the names of real lotto and sweepstakes. They may even pretend to be government agents to help you secure the prize.