Watch CBS News

80-Year-Old Holden Woman Loses $400,000 In Scam

HOLDEN (CBS) - An 80-year-old woman from Holden has lost nearly $400,000 in a scam, according to police.

The woman received a letter in the mail that said she had been awarded a large sum of money, but to claim her prize, she needed to pay several fees and complete paperwork, according to the paper.

She allegedly began sending the money without her children's knowledge, and began receiving more letters that promised even more money.

Unaware she was being scammed, she mailed more than 200 checks over the course of a year.

"Some payments were $100, others were thousands of dollars," said Holden Police Sgt.Chris Carey.

WBZ-TV's Paul Burton reports

Police say in all, the company scammed her out of $400,000, her and her late husband's entire life savings.

"It's very unfortunate. She has no money now," said Sgt Carey. "Every week she gets a check from her retirement and that's all she has now."

Police said that there are many other known victims of the scam. Federal authorities are assisting police with the investigation.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.