Canton Woman Steals $100,000 From Tennessee Man

CANTON, OH - A Canton woman used a scam to rip a Tennessee man off and steal more than $100,000 from him. The woman told the man he had won a $3 million sweepstakes but had to pay taxes and fees upfront, according to an indictment.

Lashell Patton, 42, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. After convincing the man that he had won the sweepstakes, she had him write money to her in Canton, according to the indictment.

The Tennessee man then sent 15 Western Union money wires to Patton. He also sent 111 Moneygram money wires to Patton. Together the man wired more than $100,00 between July 2015 and April 2016, the indictment says.

“This defendant preyed upon a vulnerable victim and took advantage of his trust,” Carole Rendon, attorney for the Northern District of Ohio said. “She now will be held accountable for her actions.”

The fraud was discovered and investigated by the IRS.

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