State police warn of prize winnings phone scam

Kentucky State Police are warning the public of a phone scam in which the caller claims the individual has won a large sum of money or a valuable prize but must send money in order to collect it.

According to Public Affairs Officer Don Trosper, the calls are coming from the 876 area code. The caller, who identifies himself as "Mr. Bill Johnson," is using a cell phone that is registered in Jamaica.

During the call, "Mr. Johnson" asks the victims to send an amount of money to a "Mr. Phillip Samuels" in Brooklyn, N.Y. via Western Union, after which the prize will be delivered to the victim’s home.

Though no one has reported to the state police that they have lost money through this scam, police are advising the public to disregard the call, adding that no one should ever send money, to anyone, for a prize they have supposedly won.