$6K Sweepstakes Scam Targets Emmaus Woman, Police Say

An Emmaus woman was recently reminded of the essential truth of the old adage "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

The resident of Ridge Manor at 333 Ridge St. recently became the victim of fraud and $6,000 poorer when she was told that she had won a $25 million sweepstakes and a new car, according to Emmaus Police.

The woman was told that she needed to pay the taxes on her winnings up front, Emmaus police report. When she said that she did not have the money to pay the taxes, the person who contacted her about her winnings sent her checks to deposit and instructed her to send him cash and so that he could pay the taxes.

The Emmaus woman mailed about $6,000 to an address in Florida. Later, the resident was advised by the bank that the checks were drawn on a closed account and therefore not good, police say.

The Emmaus Police Department wants to warn all residents that such scenarios are a scam and to never mail cash to anyone if approached with a similar scheme.