WINONA, Minn. – A Winona woman thought she had a new online male friend from the Philippines. Little did she know she was being conned, albeit for only $50. This is what happened after a continuing series of exchanges: The man told the woman that she had won a substantial prize, apparently in a lottery of some sort. He said he would send the money if she first sent him $500 to free up the prize. She said she didn’t have $500 but: “Would $50 do?” Yes, he said. She sent the $50. She hasn’t heard again from the erstwhile male friend from the Philippines.
