Police warn of foreign lottery scheme

Apr 6, 2006, 10:15 am (7 comments)

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A new twist on an old scam has bilked some Enid, Oklahoma, residents out of $2,500 to $8,500, police said.

Enid Police Department Detective Mike Riley said he's received three or four calls a day for the last couple of weeks concerning this particular scam.

Some are notified by mail they have won a foreign lottery, such as the Australian, Canadian, Portuguese or United Kingdom lotteries, and are told someone will stop by to collect money to cover insurance and handling costs, Riley said. The person will not show, and those being scammed will be called and asked to wire the money.

"It sounds real good, but it's just a real convoluted scheme," Riley said.

In other cases, a check will be mailed from what appears to be a legitimate company or business, with stolen routing numbers. If the check is cashed, the person who cashed it is responsible when it is returned.

"It's a hard sell and high pressure," Riley said. "By the time you realize, it's too late."

Capt. Jim Nivison said several people in Enid had fallen prey to the scam and now are having to repay their financial institutions.

"They've been popping up," Nivison said. "We want citizens to be aware and keep an eye for things that sound too good to be true."

Riley said using common sense should help if one is contacted about a possible scam.

"If you win the Oklahoma lottery you don't have to go down to the city and give them money," he said. "You shouldn't have to give money to win money."

Citizens are urged to check with their financial institution if they have questions regarding suspicious checks. They also are advised not to divulge personal information without proper identification from those seeking the information.

Enid News & Eagle

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jeffrey's avatarjeffrey

Sheesh, nobody hands you money. They would rather take it. Nugh said.Crazy

SassyOhio's avatarSassyOhio

This happened to my roomate and best friends 8 weeks ago, she got a letter in the mail and it told her that she had been chosen from a online entry that she did to be one of 8 winners to win this jackpot and that their were canadian dues that had to be paid on it and then enclosed a check for the dues!!! 

Told her that the dues were from a clothing company that was willing to pay the dues up front for her (incase she didnt have it herself) and that they would in return expect 10% of her winnings for "sponsering" her. So they told her to cash the check if she wanted the sponsor and then to wire them the money.

And she did. NOW she has been held resposible for those funds from the company that cashed the check. They cant go after the clothing company cause it doesnt exist. So I have been helping her pay if back and its almost paid off but for no good reason she is out 2,000 cash and they have never been caught.

And the funny thing is in these deals  they supply a address and a telephone number and there was people that answered the phone and they were so dang organized when they put her on hold there was HOLDING MUSIC!!!  Hello !!!  So she didnt know.... they told her that she won 300,000  I guess she was just trying thinking that hey what can it hurt ya know, so watch out cause as far as we know these people are still out there and they call there oranization LOTTO LORE!!!

tc28376's avatartc28376

thats strange, ive gotten 2 this month saying i won a national lottery from the U.K.

SassyOhio's avatarSassyOhio

thats strange, ive gotten 2 this month saying i won a national lottery from the U.K.

OMG  I am telling you take them to the police in your local area and that may help catch them  DO NOT RESPOND TO THEM Dupe Alert

atl1

This happened to my roomate and best friends 8 weeks ago, she got a letter in the mail and it told her that she had been chosen from a online entry that she did to be one of 8 winners to win this jackpot and that their were canadian dues that had to be paid on it and then enclosed a check for the dues!!! 

Told her that the dues were from a clothing company that was willing to pay the dues up front for her (incase she didnt have it herself) and that they would in return expect 10% of her winnings for "sponsering" her. So they told her to cash the check if she wanted the sponsor and then to wire them the money.

And she did. NOW she has been held resposible for those funds from the company that cashed the check. They cant go after the clothing company cause it doesnt exist. So I have been helping her pay if back and its almost paid off but for no good reason she is out 2,000 cash and they have never been caught.

And the funny thing is in these deals  they supply a address and a telephone number and there was people that answered the phone and they were so dang organized when they put her on hold there was HOLDING MUSIC!!!  Hello !!!  So she didnt know.... they told her that she won 300,000  I guess she was just trying thinking that hey what can it hurt ya know, so watch out cause as far as we know these people are still out there and they call there oranization LOTTO LORE!!!

you is a good friend helping her pay it back.

CASH Only

Lotto Lore? Lotto SORE would be more appropriate...

LOTTOMIKE's avatarLOTTOMIKE

no one needs to fall for these schemes.they mostly prey on the elderly.

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