DATE & TIME: 07-29-2026 / 9:52 am
LOCATION: Beatrice, Nebraska
OFFENSE: Publishers Clearing House Scam
CASE #: 2026-3228
DETAILS:
A resident of Beatrice called the Gage County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, July 26th, to report she had received phone calls from a suspect informing her she had won $18.5 million dollars in the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes. Being an alert and wise citizen, she knew this person was a cozener, and this was a scam because she had not entered the sweepstakes this year….and had not entered the sweepstakes for the past 47 years.
The charlatan on the phone tried to inveigle her into accepting the scam anyway, stating he was in Omaha and he could have the “Prize Patrol” meet her away from her house and without the cameras for her safety.
The mountebank calling confirmed it was a scam for her because he told her she would need to provide $1,850.00 filing fee to register with the FDIC in order to receive the check.
She broke off communication with the suspect and called the sheriff’s office to report the incident and alert the public.
Just a reminder there are numerous ways to be conned out of money. It can be through social media, a telephone call, via email or text message, or even in person. If it seems to good to be true, it is probably a scam. Do not provide any money or personal or financial information to unknown persons. Take the time to contact a family member, your bank, or call Southeast Communications and request to speak with a deputy, an investigator, or an officer.
Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903
Sergeant Tim Hanson #90310