An 85-year-old Coconut Creek woman is out thousands of dollars after she fell victim to a scam, authorities said.
According to Coconut Creek Police, she mailed money to people several times before police jumped in and stopped her from sending more.
Body camera video shows the moments when officers tried to stop the woman from giving even more of her money away.
“We got a couple of phone calls today from your daughter,” an officer said.
“No, I’m going to get money,” the woman said.
“I need you to listen to me. You are being scammed,” the officer said.
Police said the woman’s family called for help after learning she had already mailed $3,500 across different states.
They said the woman believed she was claiming prize money.
“It all starts with a phone call; the person on the phone is trying to convince the receiver they’ve won money,” an officer said.
The woman described preparing one of the payments.
“I wrote a check, cashed it at the bank, wrapped it in paper and put it in an envelope,” she said.
Officers said she was also planning to hand-deliver more money to an unknown person at a bank in Pompano Beach before they intervened.
“There is no way in this incident that you are going to get money, but you are going to lose money if you give it to somebody,” the officer said.
Police said that the senior community is the target of this type of scheme because scammers prey on seniors who are alone and are more inclined to get on the phone with anyone who calls them before being convinced to give up their money.
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