(La Porte County, IN) - A 75-year-old La Porte County man fell for a gift card scam after reportedly being told during a phone call that he had won close to a million dollars and a brand new vehicle in a Publishers Clearinghouse sweepstakes.

According to police, the victim was told to purchase a $300 gift card and give him the numbers off the card to cover the processing fees in obtaining his prize The Mill Creek area man then drove to a nearby pharmacy and bought the gift card before returning home where he gave the caller the numbers as instructed.  

He was then told to expect to receive his prizes two days later and to have $500 in cash to give to the delivery driver to cover operating costs.

That's when the victim realized it was a scam and contacted the sheriff’s office.