Powerball Worth a Fortune to Scammers | Weekend Read

Each weekend, we share stories drawing attention beyond one town:

Lottery Scams Increase as Jackpots Climb

Adriana and her friend had the kind of problem we all dream of, particularly when huge lottery jackpots fill the headlines. Adriana's friend had a winning lottery ticket, but she wasn't in the country legally.

At least, that's how the complicated flimflam began last week. In the end, "Adriana" and her friend bilked a Georgia woman out of $2,800 in cash.

As a country, we're increasingly suspicious of each other. Candy from strangers? No, thanks. A surprise inheritance from Abu Dhabi, via email? Delete. But the opportunity to get a piece of a big lottery prize, or even to assist in someone else's good fortune. That's a scam we'll walk into with the best of intentions.

Lottery scams are among the most popular schemes, according to the Better Business Bureau. And they spike the morning after a big jackpot drawing, like the nearly half-billion Powerball prize Saturday night. >>> Read more.

More:

• Lottery Winner's 'Unwise' Investment: Millions Of Dollars In Meth
• Winning Powerball Numbers Saturday Worth $478 Million

Sen. Barbara Mikulski, ‘Little General in Pearls,’ Leaves Lasting Legacy

Known as a “little general in pearls,” a legendary Maryland lawmaker, Barbara Mikulski, is attending her last Democratic National Convention as a public official – and plans to go out with a bang.

The small-statured politician formally nominated her friend and former Senate colleague Hillary Clinton for president on the Wells Fargo Center convention stage Tuesday, along with U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia.

“It’s not about a ‘boo,’ it’s about a ‘boo-hoo’ if Donald Trump wins,” the 80-year-old Mikulski told a roomful of Maryland delegates at their breakfast Tuesday. “Republicans know how to investigate and instigate, but they sure don’t know how to legislate!” >>> Read More.

Father of Fallen Muslim Soldier Tells Trump: 'You Have Sacrificed Nothing'

Khizr M. Khan, the father of a fallen military officer, took on Republican Donald Trump over the presidential candidate's calls for a ban on Muslims entering the country.

Khan and his wife, Ghazala, took the stage at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Thursday night to a standing ovation to remind voters that their family wouldn’t be allowed in a United States under a Trump presidency. And their Muslim son wouldn’t have fought — and died — for a country that believes in religious freedom.

“Let me ask you: Have you even read the United States Constitution?” Khizr Khan asked Trump rhetorically from the stage. “I will gladly lend you my copy." >>> Read more.

Hoax Distress Calls Traced to Annapolis Area: Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a hoax caller who has made 28 false distress alerts during the last two years. They involved the same male voice making the false distress calls since July 2014, stating, "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday."

The Coast Guard’s cost for the searches is estimated to be about $500,000. False distress alerts also detract from the service’s ability to respond to actual emergencies. >>> Read more.