80-Year-Old Woman Scammed Out of $30,000

An elderly Orange County woman was robbed of $30,000 by two female fraudsters and another man, and deputies would like the public’s help in bringing the con artists to justice.

The 80-year-old woman was shopping in Walmart on east Colonial Drive on March 22, when she was first approached by one woman, then a second professionally dressed female.

The first woman claimed that she was illegal in the country and needed identification documents; the second woman said, she knew where identification documents could be obtained, but neither had transportation.

After helping the elderly woman with her shopping, the two con artists persuaded her to drive them to the place where identification documents might be obtained.

Investigators learned, during the ride, one woman pulled out a Florida Lottery ticket, claiming she had won $2 million and needed identification to claim her winnings.  She also said that since the elderly woman was so good to drive them to the location, she would give her $100,000 of the winnings.

The elderly woman agreed to bring along $30,000 of her own funds to show that she did not need to claim any of the $2 million, and to use her own identification to vouch for the two suspects.  She told investigators after handing over $30,000 in cash, one of the women asked to be driven to Aldi located at 10537 to buy hygiene products, while the other, who said she was hungry, asked to be dropped off at McDonalds at 10413 E. Colonial Drive. Both woman disappeared after being dropped off at the locations.

The elderly woman told investigators, realizing that she had been ripped off, tried to find the women and drove around for one hour.  The women were nowhere to be found.

Suspect # 1 is described as a Hispanic female, about 25-30 years of age, 5′ 05″ tall with medium build and dark hair.  She was dressed in blue stripped long-sleeved shirt and dark jeans.  She claimed to have been born in Mexico.

Suspect # 2 is also described as a Hispanic female, about 45-55 years, 5′ 05″ tall and of average build.  The woman was wearing a white button up shirt, light-colored jacket and blue jeans. The suspect said she was born in New York but grew up in Puerto Rico.

The women also spoke to a man while being driven by the elderly woman.  It is believed that he is known to the two women and did advise that if the senior brought the $30,000 cash, with identification, the lottery winnings would be handed over.  A description of the man is unknown, although he is believed to be Hispanic.

If you have any information on these suspects, you are urged to call Crimeline at # 1-800-423-TIPS.