Cops: Man robbed of $29G in lottery-ticket scam

They said they had a winning lottery ticket.

But police said their victim found out the hard way his gamble was a losing bet.

Now, police are hoping the public can provide information about the couple who they said scammed a Brentwood man out of almost $29,000 in November -- money, Suffolk County police said, the victim handed over as part of a lottery ticket scam.

Police did not release the identity of the victim, but said he was shopping in a store in Central Islip when he was approached by the man and woman on Nov. 25. The couple claimed to have a winning lottery ticket, police said.

But, police said, the couple told the man they couldn't cash the ticket -- because they weren't U.S. citizens.

Instead, police said, they persuaded the victim to withdraw almost $29,000 from his bank account so their winning ticket could be processed.

Then, they took the victim's money and fled, police said.

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Police described the man as being in his mid-30s to early 40s, between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-8, and balding. The woman was described as about 5-foot-4 and heavy set, police said. Her approximate age was not immediately clear.

Police are asking anyone with information about the scam to call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.