Armida Flores, an 82-year-old woman, recently fell victim to a lottery scam. A male stranger gained her trust by claiming to have a winning ticket and persuaded her to hand over $2,500 before fleeing the scene. Police in Pomona are currently searching for the man and woman involved and are appealing to the public for information.
According to the Pomona Police Department, the incident is classified as “theft by false pretenses.” Police stated that a man first approached Flores, claiming to be an undocumented immigrant who held a winning lottery ticket worth $10,000; he asked Flores to help him cash it in.
The victim’s granddaughter, Celeste Zamarripa, said the man told her grandmother, “He said he had won $10,000 and that if she was willing to put up $2,500 to help him, he would pay her back later.”
Police noted that to bolster their credibility, a woman then joined the conversation, pretending to be a helpful passerby who assisted the man in persuading Flores. Meanwhile, another accomplice posed as a lottery company representative over the phone, claiming Flores had to pay a $2,500 “processing fee” before she could help collect the $10,000 prize.
Through the coordinated efforts of the suspects, the scam successfully gained Flores’s trust. The man and woman even offered to drive her to the bank to withdraw the cash. Police stated that the pair wore hats and sunglasses during the trip and deliberately avoided surveillance cameras near the bank to minimize the risk of identification.
After withdrawing $2,500 from the bank, Flores handed the cash to the suspects. They fled immediately after obtaining the money, leaving Flores behind.
The victim’s family later helped police identify the vehicle used by the suspects, which is reported to be a white Ford Escape, likely a 2014–2016 model. Police are currently investigating the identities and whereabouts of the two suspects.
The incident caused not only financial loss for Flores but also took a toll on her emotional well-being. Zamarripa said her grandmother used to be a very warm and open person, but after being scammed, her trust in strangers and her sense of personal safety have been shaken. Zamarripa stated that the incident left the entire family feeling that their grandmother had been deeply hurt; “She has always been a very warm and welcoming person.” She also urged the public to remain vigilant against any demands for upfront payment in exchange for claiming prizes, cashing in lottery tickets, or obtaining other benefits, advising anyone who encounters suspicious situations to seek help and report them immediately.
“Be brave and speak up—speak up for your family,” she said. “No matter what kind of scam you encounter, you should speak out; it is truly heartbreaking.”