By: Tracie Carter
New Jersey man accused of scamming Michigan woman out of more than $200K in fake sweepstakes scheme.
A New Jersey man is accused of scamming a 72-year-old Michigan woman out of more than $200,000 by convincing her she had won a $5.5 million Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes, authorities said.
Michigan State Police announced Tuesday that Donald Johnson Jr., of Washington Township, was arrested in Morris County on December 22 on felony false-pretenses charges.
Investigators said Johnson participated in a fraud scheme that targeted a woman in Van Buren County.
The victim was contacted by a caller who told her she had won millions, but was required to pay taxes before receiving the prize.
The woman then mailed more than $200,000 to several addresses, including more than $90,000 sent to Johnson in New Jersey, according to authorities.
Johnson has since been extradited to Michigan. The investigation remains ongoing.
Michigan State Police reminded residents that legitimate sweepstakes do not require upfront payments, and that unsolicited calls requesting money for prizes or taxes are likely scams.