OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. —

The Oconee County Sheriff's Office successfully recovered approximately $20,000 for a victim of a sweepstakes scam after an investigation into the fraudulent activity.

On Sept. 15, a deputy took a report from a victim who stated she received a call from Publishers Clearing House, claiming she had won $250,000 and a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, but needed to pay approximately $20,000 to cover fees before receiving her prize.

The victim withdrew the money from her bank in the form of a cashier’s check and sent it. After the check cleared, she realized it was a scam, and the scammers attempted to contact her again, stating that more money was needed before the prize could be released.

The investigation was handed over to an investigator assigned to the Financial Crimes Uni

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