DAVIE, Fla. – Davie police are searching for four people who conned an 80-year-old woman out of more than $18,000 in jewelry by promising to share lottery winnings with her.
According to police, two women approached the victim, Ani Nanowski, in the parking of a Publix in the 8000 block of West State Road 84 just before 1 p.m. on Feb. 22.
"She was holding a ticket ... and then all of a sudden she said, 'Please help me,'" Nanowski said.
The women said they had won $480,000 in the Mega Millions lottery, but they needed help to redeem the ticket.
"I said I do not have money, and she said 'No, I will give you money,'" Nanowski said.
The women said if Nanowski gave them her jewelry, they would give her $10,000.
Nanowski said she brought the women to her home in Davie, where she said they packed up all her jewelry in a Ziploc bag, even asking for the necklace she was wearing.
"I removed my necklace, and she grabbed it from me immediately," Nanowski said.
She got a glass of water for the two thieves, but when she came back they were gone. Nanowski then realized she had just been duped out of all her valuables. She had a message to the group that took advantage of her:
"You are a scammer. You are not good people. You take advantage of old people."
Nanowski said that her daughter is now working to install security cameras inside her home. She said she’ll think twice before allowing strangers into her vehicle.
Police said two other suspects -- a man and a woman -- were also present, acting as lookouts. Police said all four suspects arrived at the store in a white, newer model Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Davie Police Department at 954-693-8200 or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-471-TIPS.