South FL Man Charged In Publishers Clearing House Scam: Sheriff

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — A South Florida man faces fraud charges in Sarasota County after taking $63,000 from an 88-year-old Sarasota resident through a Publishers Clearing House scam, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Detectives began investigating the scam in October when the Sarasota man’s family filed a report with the sheriff’s office. The 88-year-old believed he was paying taxes for Publishers Clearing House winnings in advance and deposited $63,000 into two separate bank accounts.

According to the Publishers Clearing House website, no payment, fee, tax, or any amount is ever required to claim or receive a prize in a PCH giveaway.

Through investigation and reviewing video surveillance footage, the detectives identified 25-year-old Donte Johnson of Plantation as the suspect using the Sarasota man’s identity to withdraw funds from the accounts, SCSO said.

On Wednesday, with assistance from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and the Plantation Police Department, a search warrant was executed at Johnson’s home. During the search, detectives found more than $17,000 in cash, a stolen firearm and several electronic devices.

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At least additional elderly victims have been identified and detectives believe there may be others who fell for Johnson’s scam. Detectives estimate that he stole approximately $300,000 from the 17 victims, who live throughout the country.

Johnson was taken into custody by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office Friday and charged with criminal use of personal identification, bank fraud and grand theft of a firearm. He has been released, but investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending, the sheriff’s office said.

“These (Special Victims Unit) detectives work hard to protect our most vulnerable populations, but it is on all of us to look out for our elderly, and one another," Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman said. "The message here is take caution for both yourself and the ones you love. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”