Man loses $20,000 in Georgia Lottery scam

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga., July 17 (UPI) -- A Sandy Springs, Ga., man said he paid $20,000, in claiming a $200,000 prize, to someone he thought was a lottery representative and lost all his money.

The man, 87, who asked not to be identified, told WSB-TV, Atlanta, he was notified by mail of his winnings in the Georgia Lottery, and when he attempted to claim his winnings the alleged scam artist was gone.

Lottery winners are not typically notified by mail, and are never asked for money in advance of receiving a prize, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Wednesday.

"(If) somebody comes up to you with a large amount of money you've won, start asking questions," Sandy Springs Police Capt. Steve Rose said.