Family in Itawamba County, MS, Outraged After Elderly Woman Scammed of $1,600

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A family in Itawamba County is expressing their frustration and concern after their 93-year-old relative was swindled out of $1,600 by a scammer, according to WLBT3. The victim, who has been a longtime client of Publishers Clearing House, received a fraudulent call earlier this month from someone posing as a representative from the company.

The scammer informed the elderly woman that she had won $2.5 million and a new car, but first, she needed to pay a fee. Carol Bellis, the victim's daughter, recounted the scam, stating that the con artist provided instructions on how to make the payment and even claimed that sponsors would cover the fees if the family couldn’t afford them.

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The victim was instructed to purchase four gift cards and provide the card information to the scammer. Unfortunately, this action drained her bank account, leaving it in the red and incurring additional charges. Bellis also reported that the scammer has continued to harass her mother through text messages, with some communications involving inappropriate content.

Local law enforcement has been involved in the case, but, as WLBT3 reports, the scope of their assistance is limited. Mantachie Police Chief Mark Roberts explained that many of these scams originate overseas, making it challenging to pursue legal action. "Unfortunately, most of the scam calls come from overseas,” Roberts said. “We can do the report. We don’t have the jurisdiction or the manpower to go get somebody from Jamaica, but the AG’s office does handle it and they track it down the best they can.”

Such scams are prevalent nationwide, with elderly individuals often being targeted. Authorities advise everyone to exercise caution and avoid sharing personal or financial information over the phone.

Although the family is resigned to the likelihood of not recovering the stolen funds, they have found support from their local community. The victim’s church has rallied to assist with her immediate financial needs, helping to cover this month’s bills.