A New Jersey grandmother is believed to have committed suicide after being swindled out of her life savings in a Jamaica-based lottery scam.

A report in Monday's issue of the Star Ledger newspaper says 72-year-old Ann Mowle lost $248,000 after being promised a $2.5 million pay out.

It is reported that after she suffered the loss, Mrs. Mowle donated her clothes to charity, left her beloved toy poodle Molly at a dog groomer's and drove to Spring Lake.

Fishermen found her body on the edge of a jetty.

Mrs. Mowle's family blames the vicious year-long con for her path to despair.

The grandmother left documents which detailed more than 50 wire transfers ranging from US $158 to nearly $5,000 to addresses in Jamaica.

Despite the paper trail including names and phone numbers, investigators have had little luck in tracking down the scam-artists.