WCYT

The OFT and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) are warning the public to be on their guard against a new Jamaican-based lottery scam which has already seen some UK residents lose thousands of pounds each.

Fraudulent telemarketers based in Jamaica are making unsolicited phonecalls to consumers telling them they have won a sum of up to £2.5million, in a lottery or sweepstake.

The fraudsters often pretend to be lawyers, bank officials, customs officers or lottery representatives to try and convince consumers that their prize is genuine. However, to 'release' their winnings, victims are told they must send money to pay for taxes, processing fees, insurance or customs duties.

Victims receive repeated calls for further money, and in some cases have suffered threats of violence, arrest and removal to Jamaica if they do not pay up.
The fraudsters have pressurised some elderly victims into sending off their entire life savings. The victim's money ends up in the hands of organised gangs and helps to fund other serious crime in Jamaica.

The fraudsters have also targeted consumers in other countries such as the United States where victims are estimated to have lost $30 million. In response, SOCA and the OFT are working with international law enforcement partners to tackle this and other types of mass marketed fraud.
Heather Clayton, OFT Senior Director, said:

'We know that Jamaican-based lottery fraudsters have actively targeted US consumers in the past but we are now beginning to see this emerge as a problem in the UK.

“What is despicable is that some victims have been threatened with violence to coerce them into handing over their life savings. A genuine lottery would never ask someone to pay taxes, insurance or any other fee before receiving their 'winnings'.'

Sharon Lemon, Deputy Director at SOCA, said:
'There is no doubt that there are links between mass marketing fraud and other serious organised criminality, including drugs importation and threats of violence. Falling victim to mass marketing frauds is not something people bring on themselves.

“They are deliberately and ruthlessly targeted by organised criminal groups. The potential harm inflicted is not just financial, but physical and psychological. Law enforcement, advice groups, and the public all have a part to play in preventing these crimes.'

Beware of the fakers

EVERY day, people open their post, receive a telephone call, turn on their computers or switch on their mobile phones to find they have unexpectedly won a major prize in a prize draw, lottery, sweepstake or other form of promotion. While some of these approaches may be legitimate, many are a dishonest attempt to make you part with your money. These scams are usually based outside the UK, although they may use UK Post Office or mail boxes.

How does it work? Typical scams may:
1. offer access to a winning ticket or the prize in an overseas draw or lottery, or membership of a lottery syndicate, in return for an 'administration' or 'registration' fee
2. require a purchase of some kind to receive a 'prize'
suggest that there are government funds available to be claimed by individuals.
3. More often than not, there is no prize or reward on offer. Anything that is 'won' is usually sub-standard, overpriced or misleadingly described and worth much less than the requested fee.

To avoid becoming a scam lottery victim, remember :
Ask yourself 'How could I win a lottery prize if I haven't bought a ticket?' usually, if you win something you don't have to pay anything to receive your prize
If asked to use a premium rate telephone number, remember these can be very expensive and may be part of the scam
never reveal credit card or bank account details unless absolutely sure who you're dealing with. These details may be asked for as 'identification'.

Typical warning signs include:
(a) the approach, whether in writing, by phone or by email, is unsolicited
(b) there is a very short time in which to respond to claim your prize or winnings
(c) an invitation to send a 'processing' or 'administration' fee to obtain a prize or reward
(d) the need to use premium rate phone lines
(e) the source of the promotion is based overseas
(f) an invitation to send money out of the country, particularly to the Netherlands or Canada, by money transfer
(g) prizes are expressed in foreign currency
(h) an invitation to provide credit card or bank account details.

How to protect yourself
Remember that if you win something you shouldn't have to pay anything to receive your prize; do not enter sweepstake contests unless they are run by a company you know; ask for advice - call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

WCYT

A community interest company keeping vulnerable residents in Essex safe from rogue tradesmen and doorstep conmen

www.whocanyoutrust.org.uk

Now your number's really up

Beware of the fakers

Useful Links