WINONA, Minn. – After following instructions and buying Visa gift cards and calling a 1-800 line with the card numbers, a Winona scam victim realized what was going on. The total loss: $4,500. The victim whose address is in the 150 block of Center Street, told police the scam began in early May when a phone caller purported to be from Publishers Clearing House extended congratulations for winning $15 million plus $5,000 a week and a new Mercedes Benz. To receive the money, the caller gave clear instructions: Buy two Visa gift cards a week, load them with $500, and then call a representative on a 1-800 line. Why the payments? To cover various taxes and fees. Police were called about 2:20 p.m.
