Winner Won $19.5M In Publisher's Clearing House Scam: Police

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA —Everyone would like to be a winner in the Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes. One Bud Lane resident's mother got that notice, but it was just a scam, police said.

The Lower Makefield Township Police Department reported the fraud incident on the 1500 block of Bud Lane at 11:15 a.m. on Sept. 16 where a complainant reported their mother received an email from someone claiming to be from Publisher’s Clearing House.

The mother was told she was the winner of $19.5 million. The victim was instructed to send an undetermined amount of money in a magazine to an address, police said.

Other reported crime incidents in the Sept. 16 police blotter include:

Fraud — 1600 block of Fairfield Road, reported at 3:53 p.m. A complainant reported falling victim to a PECO scam stating they owed $2,000.

Solicitors - 1500 block of Esther Lane, reported at 2:31 p.m. A complainant reported a solicitor for SunnyMac Solar in the area. The 19-year-old male from Browns Mills, N.J., was cited for soliciting without a permit.

Retail Theft —1600 block of Big Oak Road at Shop Rite, reported at 3:09 p.m. Loss Prevention detained a 40-year-old female from Levittown and a 42-year-old female from Langhorne for taking $261.83 worth of merchandise without paying. They were taken into police custody.

Identity Theft —1500 block of Dolington Road, reported at 4:26 p.m. Complainant reported unknown person(s) opened a Trumark Financial account in their name.

Retail Theft —1600 block of Big Oak Road at Kohl’s, reported at 2:59 p.m.. Loss Prevention reported a retail theft in progress by a male and female. While enroute, Loss Prevention reported the suspects fled from the store: the male in a vehicle and the female on foot. Police located the female in the Kohl’s shopping.

Theft —1400 block of Polo Run Drive, reported at 4:54 p.m. Complainant reported sometime in early August, unknown person(s) stole a package from the front of their residence.

Motor Vehicle Theft —1700 block of Polo Run Drive, reported at 7:30 a.m. Complainant reported sometime overnight, unknown person(s) stole their 2006 Toyota Avalon. On Sept. 7, unknown person(s) removed their gym bag from their vehicle, which contained their vehicle’s key. The vehicle was recovered in Philadelphia on Sept. 13.

Burglary —1300 block of Brookfield Road, reported at 4:26 p.m. Complainant reported sometime within the last month, unknown person(s) entered the residence and removed several items.

Fraud —500 block of Hammond Drive, reported at Noon. Complainant reported unknown person(s) obtained and altered a check they wrote and attempted to cash it.