Police Investigating Lottery Scam Robberies In Miami-Dade
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami-Dade Police Department is investigating two incidents where elderly victims were offered winning lottery tickets but were subsequently robbed.
The first incident occurred on Tuesday when 65-year-old Maria Cardenas was sitting at a bus stop located at NW 80 Avenue and 7 Street.
Cardenas told police two men approached her at around 10:45 a.m.
Authorities said the two men convinced Cardenas to give them $400 in exchange for the winning lottery ticket.
The men reportedly drove her to a nearby bank, located at 7760 West Flagler Street, where she withdrew the money and gave them the bracelet she was wearing.
Investigators said the men then drove Cardenas to a nearby gas station, but when she stepped out they drove off.
The second incident under investigation happened at noon on Thursday.
According to investigators, two men approached 70-year-old Juana Doblevidal at a bus stop and asked her for directions.
Doblevidal told police the conversation shifted and one of the men told her he had a winning lottery ticket. The man continued by saying he was not a legal resident and therefore could not redeem the ticket, so he offered to exchange the ticket for $10,000 in cash.
Police said Doblevidal agreed and was driven to a bank by the men. After she withdrew the 10,000 in cash, she was reportedly driven to an apartment complex.
According to authorities, a third person approached the approached the vehicle, opened the passenger door and grabbed the Doblevidal's purse.
Doblevidal said a struggle ensued and she fell out of the car. The three men fled in the vehicle.
If you have any information in this case, you are urged to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).