Warning On Latest Lottery Scam |
3 Oct 2007 |
South Tyneside lottery lovers are warned to steer
clear of a Spanish scam that could costa fortune.
The Council's Trading Standards Service says there
will be no European crock of gold for those who take
part - just a huge telephone bill and the likelihood
of identity fraud.
The scam came to light in South Tyneside when a resident
contacted the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul
Waggott after receiving a letter claiming to be from
Alfredo Alonso, Vice President of the Euro Sweepstake
Lottery Co.
It claims the recipient has won $250,000 (approx £125,000)
out of a total prize of $60 million shared among 31
international winners.
The letter goes on to say that to claim the money
all the person has to do is call Foreign Operations
Manager Jose Manfred in Spain. It adds that all winners
are 'liable for the insurance coverage of their winnings.'
Councillor Waggott, said: "The prospect of winning
a large sum of money can be very attractive but people
should be wary of notifications from abroad and check
things out thoroughly."
He added: "Like many scams, the letter promises
you great riches, but in fact it's just geared up to
get you to divulge your bank details to the fraudsters.
Typically, to try to overcome any hesitation on the
part of the recipient, the letter also applies pressure
by stressing a deadline for replying.
"Always remember the old adage - if it sounds
too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Don't
get swept off your feet by this new version of an old
scam."
South Tyneside Trading Standards add: "We strongly
advise people never to give personal bank details to
any unsolicited mailing or telephone call - especially
when it claims a prize has been won for a competition
you have never entered. Numerous complaints about the
scam have been received by the Office of Fair Trading
throughout the
country with some people having lost considerable amounts
of money,"
Similar scams have been identified operating under
names such as International Lottery De La Primitiva,
Euro Million International Promotion Programme, Spanish
Sweepstake Lottery, Highstake International Program
and El Mundo De La Primitiva.
Trading Standards officers in the UK work closely
with the Office of Fair Trading which liases with officials
in the country of origin to tackle the scam at source.
Anyone who has received a similar letter and would
like to talk to Trading Standards can contact Consumer
Direct on 08454 04 05 06. More information about such
scams can be found at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
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