Lottery scams
Have you received an email out of the blue saying you've won a prize in an international lottery?
Be warned. It's almost certainly a fraud.
Usually, you're excited about a windfall and keen to claim the money, even though you don't exactly remember ever entering the lottery in the first place. You contact the people who emailed you, and they reply in a polite and helpful way. There's just one catch. They want you to send them a 'fee' to process your winnings. That's the fraud. You have not really won anything at all, but your winnings are dangled in front you while the scammers try to get as much money out of you in fees and charges.
This fraud lies outside ASIC's coverage, because lotteries are regulated under State laws, so if you have been caught, please contact your local police.
You can report lottery scams on the ACCC's SCAMwatch website.
More scams and swindlers
FIDO Website: Printed 11/21/2008
