Lottopia News
PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – An 85 year old Pembroke Pines man was the unwitting victim in a $30,000 scam. According to police reports Pietro Pistone, the victim, was approached by a Spanish-speaking man. The encounter took place in the parking lot at BJ’s Wholesale Club store. Pietro, who was unable to understand the well-dressed was then approached by a Hispanic woman who offered to translate for him.
As the conversation unfolded, the man revealed that, because of his immigration status, he was unable to cash a winning lottery ticket. He claimed the value of the ticket to be $1 million. He asked for a sum of $30,000 in exchange for half a million. He also offered the female the same amount.
The woman, who was later revealed to be an accomplice, called a number to verify the ticket. Pietro listened in on the call and heard the confirmation. The woman then left to retrieve her $30,000 in cash. She later returned with a bag supposedly filled with the money. Upon seeing this, Pietro withdrew the money and also handed it over to the stranger in exchange for a ticket.
Once the stranger left, Pietro and the woman walked to a nearby convenience story. She fled while he was redeeming the ticket. Pietro was left to discover he had been scammed.
Pembroke Police are advising anyone with information about the case to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.