WALLINGFORD, Conn. (WFSB) — A 19-year-old Bridgeport woman has been arrested for allegedly scamming a 72-year-old man out of $300,000 through a Publishers Clearing House scheme, police said.
Authorities identified the suspect as Nyieshia Upchurch, who was taken into custody on October 22 following a months-long investigation.
According to police, the case began on March 4 when the victim reported receiving multiple phone calls from unknown individuals claiming he had won a $9.6 million prize from Publishers Clearing House. The callers instructed the man to send money to cover supposed taxes and fees before collecting his winnings.
Investigators said the man’s family discovered that seven checks had been issued to unknown individuals — five of which were made out to Upchurch.
Following an extensive investigation, police charged Upchurch with:
First-degree larceny
First-degree conspiracy to commit larceny
First-degree telephone fraud
First-degree conspiracy to commit telephone fraud
Upchurch was held on a $75,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on November 5.
Police are reminding residents to remain cautious of phone calls promising large cash prizes, as such scams often target elderly victims.
