Lottery Scams
Don't get caught out by any of these lottery
scams!
Lottery
scam emails are increasing at an alarming
rate. Here is a list of over
380 allegedly fraudulent operations
from many different sources.
It
begins with an email claiming the recipient
has won a lottery. They are to contact a
claims agent to collect their winnings,
usually at a free email address. The unsuspecting
consumer contacts the claims agent who sends
a claim form to verify their identity. They
must return the form with their personal
details along with copies of their passport
and driver’s license to “verify their true
identity.” This is where the scam begins.
The fraudsters now have enough information
to duplicate the consumer’s identity.
The
responding consumer receives an email with
three options of how to collect their winnings.
They can have the money wired to their bank
account, they can open an account with a
specified bank (bogus), or they can pick
up their winnings personally (normally from
Amsterdam).
Most
people want their winnings transferred into
their bank account. This involves upfront
fees for taxes, insurance or even legal
fees. Victims transfer money as requested
via Western Union. If they do not want to
pay upfront fees, they can open an online
account with a specified bank, who’s ‘policy’
requires a deposit of around US$3,000. This
bank is fake. Alternatively, victims are
able to pick up their money personally by
travelling to Amsterdam, where they are
required to pay a release fee in cash, and
receive their winnings in counterfeit currency.
If you have given personal details to
a lottery scam
These
fraudsters are after enough information
to commit identity theft. They will request
information such as personal contact details,
address, workplace, and next of kin details.
They will also request copies of passports
and drivers licenses. When they have all
this information, they are then able to
commit Identity Theft using all the personal
information obtained.
If you have lost money to a lottery scam
If
you have already given money to these fraudsters
for any variety of reasons, unfortunately,
there is not much chance of recovery. Once
the fraudsters have your cash, even if they
are caught and prosecuted, your money is
gone. FraudWatch International is unable
to assist people to recover money paid to
these fraudsters |
