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07/20/2026
Wisconsin: Scammer Who Conned Elderly Couple Out of Over $400k Using Fake Sweepstakes Sentenced to Prison
Law Enforcement today
LA CROSSE, WI - Do you remember the old Publishers Clearing House program that surprised homeowners with enormous checks?
Well, it is still “a thing” (although it operates under a different name) and it was used to defraud an elderly couple of over $400k.
But thankfully, justice was eventually served.
Malcolm Sterling, 27, has been sentenced to prison after admitting his role in a sophisticated sweepstakes fraud scheme that financially crippled an elderly couple.
“The scam targeted a married couple in their 70s over eight months, with scammers falsely claiming they had won Publisher's Clearing House and Mega Millions prizes but needed to pay taxes and fees upfront. The victims sent $361,200 in cash, purchased $16,322 in gift cards, and had $53,733 withdrawn without authorization from their checking account," local media reported.
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