Lottery players and store owners in Michigan have been warned about a new scam costing stores thousands of dollars. The scam has affected locations from Houghton in the Upper Peninsula down to areas south of Cadillac.
Detective Will Bowen from Petoskey Public Safety told Up North Live that the suspects likely come from the Battle Creek area. The scam usually involves one or two people entering convenience stores and buying large amounts of lottery tickets.
The scammers try to pay with credit cards that later fail. Then, they offer to read the card number off their phone. After they leave, the store’s computer finds the cards were stolen, leaving the store with no money and missing tickets.
One store in Traverse City lost about $10,000, while Sgt. Bowen said another lost over $5,000 in lottery tickets through three separate transactions. The scammers use the Michigan Lottery app to check the tickets and cash them quickly, before the lottery can stop them.
Bowen has shared information with Michigan State Troopers and other agencies. He said a state fraud investigator will likely gather evidence for the attorney general’s office. Bowen added the scam appears to be run by a larger group, not just a few individuals.
He urged employees at gas stations and small rural stores to be cautious. “If someone tries to buy thousands of dollars in lottery tickets and their credit cards don’t work, it could be a scam. Call 911 immediately,” Bowen said.
He also advised people to try to remember the suspect’s appearance if they think they’ve been targeted.
Separately, Powerball players have been reminded to check their tickets before time runs out on one unclaimed prize. The ticket was bought at Hucks gas station on East Calumet Street in Centralia, Illinois, for the March 23 draw last year.
Winners have just weeks left to claim prizes before the money goes back to the state. Players must schedule an appointment to claim their prize. They need to bring proof of identity, like a photo ID, social security card, or tax return, and must sign the winning ticket on the back.
