Man, 80, loses $749,741 in global Internet scams

A Corona del Mar man was conned out of nearly $750,000 from multiple Internet scams, Newport Beach police said Thursday.

Wilton Hebert, 80, was tricked repeatedly between July 2005 and July 2007 by people from across the world.

“Basically what most of these are people saying, ‘Hey, you’ve won, but in order to release the funds you’ve got to pay some fee,’” Sgt. Evan Sailor said.

Hebert made 15 transfers over two years to accounts in Spain, Canada and Nigeria, among other countries, Sailor said. There’s no indication that Hebert was deceived by one, widespread scam, police said. Many times once one scam artist finds a victim, like Hebert, they sell the person’s e-mail address to other criminals, Sailor said.

The case will eventually be handed over to FBI investigators in Santa Ana because of the crime’s scale, Sailor said. Bank records show Hebert lost $749,741, officials said.

Health officials are working with Hebert’s family to evaluate whether he’s cognizant enough to make his own financial decisions, police said.

— Joseph Serna