Gambler Hits Jackpot, Loses Money in Scam

A woman was arrested at the on suspicion of scamming a fellow gambler for $40,000.

Josefina Loan Nguyen, 40, of Westminster, is behind bars for grand theft, according to jail records.

Wildomar police were tipped off on Sept. 1 when they got a call from a woman who said she was tricked out of the money from a “business acquaintance," according to Sgt. Patrick J. Chavez.

Detectives questionned the victim, who said she won a $50,000 jackpot from a local casino earlier this year. Shortly after winning the money, she was befriended by Nguyen, who also frequented the casino, Sgt. Chavez reported.

As the friendship evolved over the next few weeks, Nguyen suggested a business deal involving exporting electronic equipment to Vietnam, the sergeant said.

“The victim believed the business to be legitimate and agreed to meet with Nguyen to invest in the business proposition,” he said.

During that March 2011 meeting at a coffee shop on Clinton Keith Road in Wildomar, the woman handed Nguyen $40,000 and was told she would receive $20,000 to $30,000 in returns within a few weeks -- with additional funds to follow, the sergeant reported.

But the woman had little or no contact with Nguyen over the following months, and she came to realize it was all a scam and filed a report with Wildomar police.

Then, on Oct. 17, the woman spotted Nguyen at a local casino playing at one of the high-limit tables. She called police and the suspected con artist was arrested.

Investigators from the Wildomar Police Department interviewed Nguyen and determined the stolen money was long gone, but they were able to recover more than $18,000 in casino gaming chips from her.

Based on information gathered during the investigation, the Wildomar Police Department feels there may be additional victims of unreported crimes involving Nguyen.

The investigation is continuing and the Wildomar Police Department is asking the public for information regarding this case to contact Investigator Holder at 951- 245-3300 or after hours and on weekends at 951-776-1099.