MILLIONS CONNED IN LOTTERY SCAM
4 December 2009
Up to GBP 260 million may be involved, say
officials
The British media are carrying a warning from the Office
of Fair Trading, which reports that hundreds of
thousands of Brits have been conned by fake lottery
scams.
Officials say that about 140 000 people
fall victim to this type of fraud each year, costing the
public up to a staggering GBP260 million. The average
loss is around GBP 1 900 per person, but through
embarrassment or other causes only six percent of
victims report incidents to the authorities.
A
spokesman said that the scams often start with a promise
of cash winnings and visions of a millionaire lifestyle
in a letter, e-mail or telephone call.
"We never
advise players that they have won a prize via an
unsolicited letter, email or telephone call." warned
Paul Jay, of Camelot, operator of the UK's National
Lottery. "And we never ask for up-front fees or personal
information," he added.
"If you haven't
purchased a ticket for The UK National Lottery, you
won't have won a prize - and we urge players to treat
letters, e-mails and phone calls telling you otherwise
with absolute caution."
Consumer Minister Kevin
Brennan said the UK government was working to stamp out
the scam. "We already have "Scambusters" teams
throughout the country and, as we announced earlier this
year, we are planning to set up new internet enforcement
teams to target online scams to protect consumers," he
told reporters.
For information on avoiding
lottery scams, visit
www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/lotteryscams
Online Casino News Courtesy of
Infopowa
More news here.
Top of page |
Home |
News |
Forum |
Webcast |
Vortran |
Accredited Casinos |
Evil Ones |
Pitch a Bitch |
Online Gambling Resources |
Poker
|