Fake lottery scams at large in the UK

The Office of Fair Trading has issued a statement warning the public to beware of fake lottery scams. Promises of millionaire lifestyles, big cash wins, via letters, emails, and even phone calls are at large in the United Kingdom according tot the Office of Fair Trading.

According to national statistics one in three people (32 %) have recieved a fake lottery win through a number of different avenues. Furthermore research notes lottery scams cost the British public £260 million a year, with over 140 000 adults falling victim every year.

However only 6% of victims report the scams with the OFT managed consumer advice service Consumer Direct recieving only 4000 complaints this year. The average loss per person is £1, 900 a victim, with the con men usually masquerading as other legitimate lottery operators.

You must beware if you are asked to pay administration fees or if your personal details are asked to made available.

Paul Jay, Camelot’s Head of Information Security, said: “We never advise players that they have won a prize via an unsolicited letter, e-mail or telephone call and we never ask for up-front fees or personal information.

"If you haven’t purchased a ticket for The UK National Lottery, you won’t have won a prize – and we would urge players to treat letters, emails and phone calls telling you otherwise with absolute caution.”

For more information on how to spot a lottery scam, or to report a suspected scam visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/lotteryscams.