They said the suspects have conned at least six victims in the Harbor City, Wilmington and San Pedro communities.
The suspects say they can't cash a winning lotto ticket because they are here illegally, but will share the winnings if the victim helps. Then they ask the victim for good faith money, but quickly disappear when they get it.
The scams took place between Jan. 12 and June 8 of this year, according to police.
Authorities released composite sketches of two of the three Spanish-speaking suspects.
The suspects are described as a male and female in their 20s and a male in his 40s.
Anyone with information was urged to call police at 1-877-LAPD-24-7.
