Fake lottery letter scam sparks police warning
The official-looking letters, headed Euromillions FIFA World Cup Super-Lottery, are sent out from an organisation claiming to have headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland and an office in London.
One of these letters was recently posted to a Berkhamsted resident, who was luckily wise to the scam, and they informed the local police team.
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Now Trading Standards have issued a countrywide alert after one couple in their 70s were cheated out of their savings.
One couple in their 70s from Hertfordshire were told they had won £725,000 and were asked to pay a £7,250 fee plus £2,000 for a solicitor to transfer the cash.
Roy Wilsher, of Hertfordshire Trading Standards, said: “You cannot win a prize in a lottery that you have not entered and genuine lottery operators will not ask you to send them money before releasing winnings.
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Hide Ad“We would urge anyone receiving one of these letters to simply bin it.”
A Trading Standards spokesman said: “The address in London is a genuine address where a large number of financial firms have offices.
“However, this organisation isn’t based there, they’re just using someone else’s address to make the letter look legitimate.”
If you have received a similar letter or been subjected to any type of scam then please contact your local police.