CON GAMES TARGETING RESIDENTS 2 LOCAL WOMEN LOSE $60,000.

Byline: Amy Raisin Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Two local women were bilked out of more than $60,000 in two separate scams in recent weeks, authorities said.

While Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's detectives were able to arrest a pair of suspects in a sting operation earlier this month at a Canyon Country fast food restaurant, the other case was orchestrated in another country and is more difficult to solve, officials said.

According to the National Fraud Information Center there are an estimated 14,000 illegal and fraudulent telemarketing operations nationwide, robbing victims of at least $40 billion each year.

Authorities believe at least half of the victims are over 50.

``The elderly tend not to report these things,'' said Scott Miller, a detective at the Santa Clarita sheriff's station. ``Younger people have fallen prey to scams in general, but seniors have been easier targets.''

In a recent local case it was an alert bank staff that informed police that a 91-year-old customer likely was being victimized.

According to the sheriff's report, the victim received a phone call that she had won $500,000, but could claim the money only after paying taxes on the winnings up front. On three occasions the victim followed the caller's instructions and placed cash in Canyon Country trash can - totaling $40,000.

``She was convinced they were genuine,'' Miller said. ``A lot of times (the elderly) are afraid if they finally report it, their children or executors will remove their power to handle their own money and own affairs. They're embarrassed.''

Santa Clarita sheriff's detectives arrested two men on April 10 when the suspects returned to the trash can to retrieve another cash drop, this time set up by law enforcement.

A report by the National Fraud Information Center called ``They Can't Hang Up'' reveals some common traits that often make the elderly easier targets: Senior citizens tend to be more trusting. They are easier to wear down. And many feel that hanging up their phones would be impolite.

Some criminals are able to obtain enough information about a potential victim that persuades even alert seniors to ignore initial suspicions.

A 75-year-old Santa Clarita woman who regularly played the Australian lottery was scammed out of more than $20,000 in six days last month when a caller informed her she had finally picked the winning numbers - to the tune of $250,000.

The suspect said the lottery was operated in Canada - the source of many telephone confidence scams, according to the Federal Trade Commission - and requested the victim wire $2,500 in taxes to Quebec, Canada.

The victim wired 15 cash transactions to the suspect between March 18 and March 24 before notifying sheriff's detectives.

For tips on identifying scams and reporting fraudulent crimes, go to www.fraud.org.