Movie scam targets seniors with promise of stardom
ANTELOPE VALLEY, Calif. - A California woman is accused of scamming senior citizens in a scheme that promised they would star in big movie remakes like 1985's "Cocoon" and 1981's "On Golden Pond," reports CBS Los Angeles.
Dena Peterman, 32, apparently picked those movies knowing they would be popular with older people, according to the station.
Court documents obtained by the station allege Peterman, of Antelope Valley, and her cohorts tried the scam on as many as 50 seniors in Southern California and Oregon.
In order to be cast in the remakes, she allegedly told the victims she would need their Social Security numbers and other personal information.
"Dena Peterman and co-conspirators were stealing victims' identities and using those identities to file fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in those victims' names," said Kerry Quinn, assistant U.S. Attorney.
Quinn said Peterman and her alleged fellow fraudsters are estimated to have stolen approximately $500,000 from the state of California.
Federal prosecutors believe there are likely other victims out there who have not yet come forward.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the U.S. Attorney's Office.