East Midlands Euro-MP Warns against new Lottery Scam

Published on Fri 23rd Jun 2006

Unsuspecting East Midlanders are among those being targeted by criminals in a new lottery scam.

Victims receive a letter through the post which states that they have won $750,000 in the Australian Lottery. A cheque for $4,880, made out to the victim, is included with the letter. This sum is to cover any costs the victim might incur while winnings are being processed.

But the cheque is fake. Unfortunately this may not come to light for several weeks after the cheque has been paid into the victim's bank. In the mean time, the "winner" sends off additional payments to the Australian Lottery Corporation to cover tax, processing and duty. No winnings are ever received and the "winner" pays out thousands of pounds.

Bill Newton Dunn, Liberal Democrat MEP for the East Midlands, who sits on the European Parliament's Committee on Citizens' Freedoms, Justice and Home Affairs, said:

"It is very worrying to hear that people, in particular the elderly, are being tricked into sending off their savings. People should remember that it is not possible to win a lottery without buying a ticket. And if you win a prize in a competition, you should never have to pay to receive it. Genuine Lotteries never ask you to pay a processing fee or tax in order to receive your winnings."

Anyone who is contacted about a lottery win and suspects it may be a scam should telephone Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.