Lottery scammers target elderly women in L.A.

LOS ANGELES /*LAPD*/ officials say that the suspects approach victims who are walking along or waiting at bus stops on the streets northeast of downtown Los Angeles, and then dupe them into giving up large sums of money with promises of an even bigger return.

One scam involves suspects claiming they have a winning lottery ticket but need to cash it. The crooks also claim that they have gold bars worth thousands of dollars that they will trade for cash.

Police say the suspects also try to convince victims they have a sick relative and need money and want help cashing a check. Los Angeles Police are asking anyone with information on the suspects to call investigators at 1-877 LAPD-24-7 or 1-877-527-3247.