Former Hall Of Fame Track Star's Life Savings Swindled
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PLANO (CBSDFW.COM) – A Plano couple faces eviction from their assisted-living center, despite having saved a quarter of a million dollars for retirement.
"I get angry when I think about how dumb I was," said fraud victim, Bob DeVinney.
He said the scam all started with a phone call two years ago at his home in an assisted living center.
"They start off slow with you, saying how fortunate you are… that easy street is just around the corner," said DeVinney.
The 88-year-old and his wife Sarah who suffers from Alzheimer's had won a lottery, according to the caller. DeVinney was asked to pay insurance and taxes on the winnings. Last week, he mailed the last of $250,000 in payments. He has yet to receive a penny from his so-called "lottery" winnings.
No stranger to racing toward a goal, DeVinney set the American record in the 400 meter hurdles in 1952. Now the hall of fame track star who broke records is a record-breaking fraud victim. His life savings was supposed to provide for his wife's care if he passed away before she does. Now it's gone -- all of it.
"I don't blame anybody but me," said DeVinney. "Now it's sleepless nights; when I get to thinking about that… I lay there and stare at the dark ceiling, late at night and can't get it off my mind. Why did I do a dumb thing like that?" asked DeVinney.
DeVinney's conviction that he would somehow recoup the money kept him from contacting Plano police.
"We want people to be aware that this type of thing is going on so they can talk to their elderly parents," said officer Stephanie Benjamin.
Anyone interested in helping the couple's plight can contact the Plano Police Department.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help DeVinney.
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