Lottery winners - scams

It is common knowledge that there are so many different scams and we can say that, at this point, most local 'winners' know what to do and, more importantly, what not to do. Unfortunately, despite the increased awareness, some people still fall for it and we must continue referring to the issue.

I am referring to it today because I received an interesting letter worth sharing with readers. It is about the Spanish scam from yet another 'lucky' winner. Ms Gillian Short was informed that her name was attached to the winning number and that she was approved for a lump sum payout of €825,200, etc. She wrote:

Out of curiosity I checked with the Spanish Lottery and it so happens that there was no lottery on the supposed winning date!

I think this scam is dangerous to the unwary as there is no initial request for money. Presumably that would come in a second letter with pressure on the time factor. (Gillian Short)

Here follows the letter she received from the official organisers of the, Loterias y Apuestas de Estado:

Important warning

Loterias y Apuestas de Estado (LAE) would like to inform the general public that a number of groups of criminals, of various nationalities, are using the prestige and the commercial names of the Spanish Lottery by fraudulent means in several countries, particularly in countries in the south-west of Asia and the Pacific as well as countries in the American continent.

They move with ease around the whole world and use mobile telephones, PO boxes, provisional or false addresses (including real addresses of official Spanish organisations) as well as names that bring to mind prestigious institutions such as El Gordo, La Primitiva, European Lottery Commission, etc. They also forge the printed sheets and signatures of various banks.

The fraudsters operate as follows. They inform the potential victim that he or she has been the lucky winner of a substantial prize, even if the respective victims have not participated in any draw. However they supposedly cannot collect the cash prize unless they have paid a sum of money to pay taxes, bank charges, delivery charges, or insurance processing. Generally the fraudster warns the potential victim that the deadline to pay the respective charges is very imminent and that their right to collect the winnings is about to expire.

The truth is that Spanish Lottery prizes are always tax-free. The Spanish Police has already arrested members of groups who were operating in Spain and legal action was taken against them. Therefore, if you are offered "prizes" that seem to be linked to the Spanish Lottery do not pay any money. Likewise we would be grateful if you inform local authorities of these crimes. (Loterias y Apuestas del Estado)