SAN JOSE -- A Southern California woman was sentenced to jail on Wednesday for her role in a multifaceted senior scam that started with the good news of a sweepstakes win then took an ominous turn when supposed authorities told the victim she'd been tricked, but would need to fork over more money to get out of a resulting legal mess.

Jacqueline Dove, 43, was sentenced to nine months in jail after tricking an elderly Santa Clara woman out of much of her life savings, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office. Dove pleaded guilty last month to felony theft by false pretense, and was ordered to pay back the $45,000 that had been scammed from the victim.

The swindle began last October, when the victim received word that she had won a sweepstakes for more than half a million dollars. To claim the money she had to send a "nonresidential tax" fee of $4,000 to an agent.

After doing so, she was contacted by a man identifying himself as an FBI agent who told her that she didn't win a sweepstakes but had been scammed. He said the money she had sent had been used to buy guns by murderers who have since been arrested, and to avoid litigation she would have to hand over $25,000.

That was followed by calls from fake CIA and IRS agents -- whom investigators believe are based in Jamaica -- asking for more money.

The funds were picked up by Dove, who went to the victim's house where they exchanged the code phrase "In God We Trust" before the victim would hand over the money.

"Predators are out there literally scouring databases for trusting, often elderly people," said prosecutor Cherie Bourlard in a statement. "They find them and trick every dime out of their victims that they can."

Although Dove was arrested, the victim continues to get calls from scammers requesting money.

According to the FBI, seniors are often targeted for scams because they have a "nest egg," own their home and have good credit -- all attractive traits for scammers. They also tend to be more trusting and less likely to hang up on a caller, and less likely to report being victimized.

Bourlard said elder scams are so commonplace that they can be considered an epidemic, and praised Santa Clara police investigators for their work on the case.

She added that residents should be watchful of such swindles, and keep an eye out for friends and relatives who may be vulnerable.

"Please be watchful," Bourlard said. "Be careful. Watch out for any signs that your relative or your neighbor is being targeted -- and call police."

Santa Clara County's 24-hour hotline to report elder abuse can be reached at 408-755-7690 or 1-800-414-2002.
