A New Jersey man has been charged in connection with a sweepstakes scam that authorities say cost a 72-year-old Michigan woman more than $200,000.
Michigan State Police announced that Donald Johnson Jr., of Washington Township, was arrested December 22 in Morris County on felony false pretenses charges. Investigators allege Johnson played a role in a fraudulent scheme that targeted a woman in Van Buren County, Michigan.
According to authorities, the victim was contacted by someone claiming she had won a $5.5 million Publishers Clearing House prize. The caller allegedly told her she needed to pay taxes and fees before the winnings could be released.
Believing the claims were legitimate, the woman mailed more than $200,000 to several addresses. Investigators say more than $90,000 of that money was sent directly to Johnson in New Jersey.
Johnson has since been extradited to Michigan, where the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not ruled out additional arrests.
Michigan State Police are reminding the public that legitimate sweepstakes do not require upfront payments for prizes or taxes and warn that such requests are a common sign of fraud.
