My 76 year old mother is a victim of this very scam. Her story is very long but I won't bore you with all of the details now. I have taken daily notes on everything that has gone on for the past 8 months which includes, names, phone numbers, addresses, as well as, ways my mother has sent and received money.
I estimate that my mother has sent at least $50,000 to Jamaica (and Costa Rica) in pursuit of a large sweepstakes payout. In order to stop the money going out, I had to seek conservatorship, which was not a pleasant experience to have to put our family through. I thought that this would end the calls from "James Pedersen", however, it did not. He has convinced my mom that he is in love with her and wants to marry her, although they have never met. We have changed her phone numbers numerous times but he has called the neighbor and had a pizza delivered to get back in touch with her. My poor mother is so confused and depressed because of the numerous calls she receives. The emotional damage (brainwashing) has been the worst part of this whole thing. I never thought she had signs of dementia until now and I am having a hard time convincing her to see a mental health doctor since I don't even live in the same state as she does.
I have contacted the local police, Adult Protective Services, FTC, FBI, Secret Service, ICE, and US Postal Inspection and so far no one has been willing to help. I am quite discouraged that the so many elderly people are being taken advantage of without the US government stepping in. I have also contacted her sisters, her friends, and her pastor to try to get someone that could get through to her, but so far I have not had any success.
I am a hard working Jamaican and i DO NOT like how this story was reported. So now all successful Jamaicans are scammers? Ain't nothing new about a 'con' its been around for centuries... what do you call the insurance industry?
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I estimate that my mother has sent at least $50,000 to Jamaica (and Costa Rica) in pursuit of a large sweepstakes payout. In order to stop the money going out, I had to seek conservatorship, which was not a pleasant experience to have to put our family through. I thought that this would end the calls from "James Pedersen", however, it did not. He has convinced my mom that he is in love with her and wants to marry her, although they have never met. We have changed her phone numbers numerous times but he has called the neighbor and had a pizza delivered to get back in touch with her. My poor mother is so confused and depressed because of the numerous calls she receives. The emotional damage (brainwashing) has been the worst part of this whole thing. I never thought she had signs of dementia until now and I am having a hard time convincing her to see a mental health doctor since I don't even live in the same state as she does.
I have contacted the local police, Adult Protective Services, FTC, FBI, Secret Service, ICE, and US Postal Inspection and so far no one has been willing to help. I am quite discouraged that the so many elderly people are being taken advantage of without the US government stepping in. I have also contacted her sisters, her friends, and her pastor to try to get someone that could get through to her, but so far I have not had any success.