BIRMINGHAM (WKZO) -- A Birmingham man has lost about 48,000-dollars in a phone and email sweepstakes scam.

The 80-year-old victim received the fake notification that he had been selected as the winner of 2.4-million dollars and a new Mercedez-Benz from the American Sweepstakes Commission.  Police Chief Don Studt says the man was called daily and followed through on stipulations to hand over money for taxes before the prize could be dispersed.

The victim sent money in regular amounts and was in phone contact with a person in Jamaica, but police believe those directing the fraud are in London, England.