Public warned over Spanish lotto scam

10:48am Wednesday 20th December 2006

TRADING standards officers are warning the public of a letter which claims they have won the Spanish lottery.

The letter is nothing more than a scam and worryingly advises the "lucky winner" to send their personal details, including their bank account number, to be able to claim their prize.

Bill Jones, from Southbourne, contacted the Daily Echo after receiving the scam in the post. He was told he had won 615,810 euros and that his money had been deposited with a security company insured in his name.

He said: "I knew immediately that it was a scam but a lot of people are so desperate for money, especially at this time of the year, that they may well believe their luck is in and send off their details. I am just concerned that other people may be taken in by it.

"I have a friend who lives in Spain and he told me that only people living in Spain can win the Spanish lottery."

Andy Sheriff, principal trading standards officer at Bournemouth Borough Council, said he had found 183 references about such a scam on their national database.

"While the address seems to change the figure of 615,810 EUROS appears to be pretty consistent. It is entirely a scam. No one can benefit from a lottery they have never entered before. There will be no prize for you although a lottery of that name may exist somewhere in the world.

"Clearly they are after your bank details and personal information with the potential of identity theft. Also having got you hooked on getting over 600,000 EUROS when they ask you for £500 or £1,000 for processing fees a lot of people will pay it just to get the big number ahead of them."

Bournemouth consumers wishing to get information and advice on scams can call the Consumer Direct line on 08454 040506 and ask for the Scamwise leaflet.

If you linked all the scam mail received by residents in Bournemouth and Poole in a year it would stretch around a massive area encompassing Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Wimborne and Highcliffe.