Detectives with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office say a senior citizen from southeast Franklin County reported in March that she believed she had fallen victim to a scam.
She told them a man who identified himself as a sweepstakes employee contacted her by phone, saying she had won $3,000,000 from “Publishers Clearing House,” but he told her she needed to pay taxes on the winnings before receiving them. The victim then sent personal checks to a specific address in Arkansas totaling more than $89,000 before realizing it was a scam.
FCSO detectives investigating the theft tracked the suspect to Little Rock, Arkansas. They worked in partnership with the Little Rock Police Department to gather evidence, and on April 24, 2025, 68-year-old David Nelson of Little Rock was taken into custody and charged with felony theft in Franklin County, Ohio. Mr. Nelson is currently being held in an Arkansas jail while awaiting extradition to Ohio to face the charges.
This case highlights the importance of being cautious in handling unsolicited phone calls. Here are some tips to help you avoid falling victim to a similar scam.
1. Be skeptical of unsolicited calls
2. Don’t share personal information
3. Don’t agree to immediate payments
4. Watch out for high-pressure tactics
5. Be cautious with “free” offers
Check out the video below with Sgt. Duffer for more ways to protect yourself. And if you ever think you have been the victim of a scam, report it to your local law enforcement agency.