Sheriff: Bradenton man loses $6,000 in lottery scam

MANATEE -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is warning residents to be aware of scams involving lotteries and sweepstakes, after Bradenton man was bilked of $6,000 after a telephone caller told him he had won $600,000.

"The victim was told to pay several payments totaling $6,000 to cover fees," the sheriff's office said in a news release. "Subsequent investigation by the MCSO revealed that the scam was originating out of Canada. This is a common scame that has been going on for years."

The sheriff's office said the common denominator of most scams in the suspect asking the victim to send or wire money.

"Never send money to someone you don't know until you confirm whether the person and/or business are legitimate," the sheriff's office said.

Anyone with questions about potential scams can call the sheriff's office at 941-747-3011.

This story was originally published April 29, 2016 at 10:25 AM with the headline "Sheriff: Bradenton man loses $6,000 in lottery scam ."