February 2, 2006
Brandon Haught
Public Information Officer

DEBARY WOMAN LOSES THOUSANDS TO SCAM 

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a recent scam that bilked a 74-year-old woman out of approximately $20,000 in cash and valuables. The victim was taken in by a version of an old routine called the Pigeon Drop Scam. Two men were able to convince the DeBary woman to help with a problem concerning a supposed winning lotto ticket. Investigators are seeking the public’s help in identifying the two culprits.

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Tuesday afternoon the victim was in a Big Lots store in Orange City when she was approached by a Hispanic man who spoke poor English. He started a conversation with her and mentioned he had a winning lotto ticket worth $188,000, but claimed he couldn’t redeem it because he was in the country illegally. While they were talking, another Hispanic man joined in the conversation, introducing himself as a doctor and acting like he didn’t know the other man. The alleged doctor appeared to use his cell phone to call a number from the back of the lotto ticket, and he then told the victim the ticket was legitimate. All three discussed helping the first man claim his winnings by redeeming the ticket for him. In this scam the suspect ordinarily offers to share his winnings with the victim in exchange for good-faith money.

The second suspect agreed to withdraw money from his personal bank account and the two men convinced the woman to do the same. The victim went to her bank and obtained cash and jewelry from a safe deposit box. She put all of this into a bag supplied by the second suspect. Before they went to claim the winnings, though, the men said they needed to go to the bathroom. They went into a store and never returned. The woman later found that the moneybag had been switched for one filled with newspaper.

The first man with the lotto ticket was described as 40 to 50 years old, 5’ 8” tall and weighing 150 lbs. He also has a small scar over his right eye.

The other man was about 40 years old, 5’ 9” tall and weighing about 150 lbs. He wore a diamond and gold ring on his right hand. He introduced himself as doctor Jayier Echevaria.

Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to contact investigator Michael Agostinis at (386) 668-3830 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, toll-free, at 1-888-277-TIPS.  Callers to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.