Pensioner Conned By Lottery Scam
Money Down the Drain
Police are warning folk to be vigilant, and avoid being caught in a scam which deprived a Bolton pensioner of £3000.
The 74 year old pensioner was contacted last month, and advised of a £300,000 win in a lottery style draw.
The instruction was to forward £1500, using Western Union in Ottawa, Canada, in order to transfer his winnings.
A couple of days later, a further request was made by the scammers to transfer £1,500 to cover insurance, which the pensioner paid.
Having made the payments, the pensioner was advised his winnings would be received on 30th March, but of course, no money was ever received.
Police are again warning folk to report anything untoward to them. Chris Waters, a Crime Reduction Adviser with Greater Manchester Police said, “This is not the first reported scam, as others have been conned into sending money. If an offer seems too good to be true, it usually is.”
“Victims are conned into believing they have won a fortune, and usually end up losing thousands.”
“The community should be vigilant, and report similar scams, especially of winnings in the Spanish lottery, or anything else suspicious to the Police.”
Police have also identified a scam, where people receive a letter, advising a prince is studying in the UK, has funds of £1m, and no bank account. The letter goes on to say that if they will permit the £1m to be put in their account, they will receive 5% of the money. As soon as the victims part with their bank details, the scammers start draining the account of cash.
Source acknowledged with thanks: The Bolton News 26/04/10
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