Scam: NJ couple convinced they won $2M in lottery, lost $86K & house

A man who prosecutors say posed as a representative of the Georgia Lottery and scammed a Burlington County couple after convincing them they had won a $2 million prize has been extricated back to New Jersey to face theft charges.

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said George M. Landry III, 67, of Decatur, Georgia approached the couple on social media and led them to believe they had won the money, but would have to pay taxes and fees in order to get their winnings.

After Landry learned the couple was planning to buy an RV, he told them they could get a better deal in Georgia, according to Coffina. Landry created a fake sales receipt and in turn the couple sent him their savings of $86,00, Coffina said. The couple was forced to move from hotel to hotel for a place to live, according to the prosecutor.

Coffina did not reveal the couple's identity.

Landry was arrested in Georgia and extricated to Burlington County after being charged with theft by deception and elements of computer theft, Coffina said. Landry has a detention hearing on Friday.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ

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