Fake Lottery Scam

It's a scam that's been around for years, but somehow it just won't go away. The fake lottery scam still finds victims, and along the way it's developed some new wrinkles to make it seem even more real.

How It Works

You receive a notification that you've won a large lottery prize overseas - sometimes it's Spain, sometimes Australia or Canada, at other times elsewhere, the location doesn't really matter. To claim your prize, however, you need to pay an "administration fee" which can range up to hundreds, occasionally even thousands, of pounds.

These days, however, as more people become wise to the scam, your notification might include a cheque for a sizeable amount, and drawn on a reputable bank. This comes from your supposed winnings, for you to use to pay the administration fee and whatever taxes might apply. It's a clever trick to make the con seem more legitimate.

You bank the cheque, send off the fees they request, and maybe even spend some or all of your advance "winnings." It's only a few weeks later that you discover the cheque was, in fact, counterfeit, and you're suddenly responsible for all the money from this fake cheque that you've spent. The crooks, meanwhile, have the administration fee you sent in good faith.

It's clever, and it's fooled a lot of people. According to statistics in Which? Magazine, almost eight million people across the U.K. have received or seen material promoting international lotteries.

How To Avoid The Scam

• The very first question to ask yourself is how you could win a lottery you'd never entered.
• Real lotteries don't ask you to pay administration fees, taxes, or other amounts before you can claim your winnings.
• You should wonder why you're being asked to pay upfront by money transfer.
• Before you do anything, check the lottery with Consumer Direct to be sure it's legitimate.
• If you receive a cheque, verify it with your own bank before depositing it. Do nothing until you're absolutely certain it's cleared and is real.

What To Do If You're A Victim

Unfortunately, there's little chance of recovering your money. By the time the fraud is discovered, the crooks have hidden their tracks, and he fact that they're based overseas makes the whole situation more complex.

Sadly, you're likely to be responsible for all the money you spent; it's unlikely you can persuade you bank to take the loss. Inform Consumer Direct. They can't help retrieve your money, but they might be able to stop others becoming victims.