RCMP say Vancouver Island seniors lose hundreds of thousands in lottery scam

NANAIMO, B.C. — RCMP say a couple in Nanaimo, B.C., who thought they had won more than $18 million and a luxury vehicle in a lottery were instead scammed out of almost $400,000.

A statement from police says the couple, who are both in their late 80s, were contacted by phone early last year.

They were told they had won $18.5 million and a Mercedes-Benz but would have to pay administrative fees in order to collect.

Over the year, police say the couple received official-looking documents and weekly calls from the scammers directing them to pay taxes and other fees through bank drafts sent to various addresses.