Published: Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009 / Updated: Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009 12:04 PM
Chicago police arrest 4 in lottery ticket scam
CHICAGO --
Chicago police say four people have been charged in a lottery scam that targeted older Hispanics.
Police say the four usually approached their victims on the street, claiming to have a lottery ticket worth $1 million. They would say they couldn't cash the ticket because they were illegal immigrants and would offer to let the victims cash it and split the money.
Police say the scam artists would flee after the victims put up money or jewelry as a good faith deposit.
Police say the four got a total of $110,000 from five victims and tried to get $50,000 from two others.
Police said Friday that 30-year-old John Garcia, 43-year-old William Velasquez-Ortiz, 39-year-old Janet Cruz and 62-year-old Carmen Perez-Santiago are charged with theft by deception.
Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com
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