Cumbria Police release Lottery scam warning

Last Updated: Friday 8th April 2011, 13:01

We’re often bringing you news of the latest way lottery scamsters want to get their hands on your hard earned cash. Lottery scams have been prevalent around the world for a long time so as Cumbria Police release yet another lottery scam warning, we’re renewing the message and reminding UK Lottery players to be vigilant. This time the lottery scammers have taken a new tack but the advice from us, as ever is if something seems too good to be true, then it probably is!

In this particular case of theft using the lottery, a man approached this lady and asked her if she would like to take part in a large lottery sweepstake. She was told that if she would like to enter it would cost £5 and she would have the chance of winning £395,000.

Just a few days after posting off her entry, the lady was contacted and told that she had won a prize, however to receive her winnings, the lady was told she would have to pay tax as the lottery draw was held in Canada. She sent off her £1,900 to receive her winnings but never heard anything from the fraudsters again.

This is the third case in the area of the same sort of scam and there is concern that it may spread over the UK. This lottery scam is so effective as you are actually being approached and asked to buy a lottery ticket for £5 and this makes you think it must be a real prize.

If you’re in any concern, ever about anything like this, do contact your local police who can tell you if there are any genuine raffles or lotteries running in the area and do employ your own common sense!

Written by Chris Brown

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