An 89-year-old Las Vegas Vietnam veteran says a phone call he thought would bring a windfall instead wiped out roughly $180,000 of his savings. Scammers convinced him he had hit a massive sweepstakes prize and just needed to cover fees to collect. The money was supposed to go toward basic home repairs and everyday expenses. His ordeal, first detailed by a local reporter and later unpacked on a national podcast, has reignited warnings about prize-claim impostors who zero in on older adults.
According to FOX5, Manny Guerrero said callers told him he had won $7.5 million and a new car. To unlock the jackpot, they claimed, he had to pay taxes and processing fees up front. Over time, Guerrero sent checks and wired funds that added up to about $180,000. The callers repeatedly told him to keep his supposed good fortune quiet, a familiar pressure tactic that cuts victims off from anyone who might question the story. Guerrero first met reporter Joe Vigil through Honor Flight Southern Nevada, and his daughter later reached out to Vigil to share how the family was blindsided.
As heard on AARP’s "The Perfect Scam", Vigil joined Guerrero and his daughter to walk through how the scheme unfolded and why older veterans are such tempting targets. Former FTC official Steve Baker did not sugarcoat the bottom line: "If anybody tells you you've won a prize and have to pay a nickel for any reason, they're crooks." The episode breaks down the red flags that surfaced in Guerrero's case and offers concrete steps families can take when they suspect someone is being pulled into an impersonation scam.
How prize scams work
Prize and sweepstakes scammers often pretend to represent well-known brands or contests, then call, text or email out of the blue. The script is simple: you have won big, but you must send money immediately, typically by wire transfer or gift cards, to cover fees or taxes before your winnings can be released. Publishers Clearing House warns that it does not contact winners by phone and will never ask for money to claim a prize. Fraud rings may also mail out fake checks to make the win feel real, only to demand that victims send some of the funds back. When the counterfeit check eventually bounces, the victim is on the hook.
Why veterans are targeted
Federal data show that military consumers, including active duty, Guard, Reserve, veterans and their families, reported more than 99,000 fraud incidents in 2024 and collectively lost $584 million, with veterans and retirees bearing a large share of those losses, according to the FTC. Those figures help explain why scammers go after people like Guerrero. They are looking for steady benefit income, a strong sense of trust and any emotional opening they can exploit to convince someone to send wire transfers or buy stacks of gift cards. Consumer advocates say regular, open conversations among family members and quick reporting when something seems off are some of the best defenses.
Protecting loved ones and accounts
Relatives who suspect a loved one is being targeted are urged to ask direct questions, look over recent bank and credit-card activity and consider safeguards such as daily withdrawal limits or adding a trusted contact to financial accounts. Guerrero’s daughter says she moved to place limits on his accounts after the theft. As reported by FOX5, the family also turned to local organizations for help sorting through paperwork and damaged finances. If you spot unusual transfers or suspicious wires, call the bank right away and ask whether outgoing payments can be paused while you verify who is getting the money.
Resources
Help is available for victims and families. AARP’s Fraud Watch Network runs a free helpline at 877-908-3360, and the AARP podcast episode about Guerrero's case offers further guidance on spotting similar scams. If you or someone you know has already lost money, report it to local police, file a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.FTC.gov and consider submitting a report to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. Veterans service organizations and local legal-aid groups can also help victims understand recovery options and put protections in place to reduce the risk of future scams.
