Police Alert After Lottery 'Winner' Is Conned

Police are warning people to beware of yet another international lottery scam which could put them at risk of identity fraud – and cost them a small fortune.

They sounded the alert after a 38-year-old Bedford resident told them that, after receiving a letter in May telling him he had won 50,000 euros he handed over £24,000 in 'administrative fees' – and has heard nothing since.

The Madrid-based organisation, called the International Lotto Commission, asked the man to supply photocopies and driving licence as proof of identity to claim his prize.

Beds police are treating the offence as a conspiracy to commit fraud and deception.

PC Cliff Kaile, officer in charge, is concerned other people may also have been conned and said: "There are certainly a few alarm bells ringing now that money has been paid to them and no prize money has materialised.

"The issue of sending details of personal documents is also worrying. Identity fraud is a very real and serious problem."

PC Kaile added: "Clearly this company need to be looked at in more detail but our advice at the moment is, if an offer looks too good to be true it probably is.

"Anyone who requires money up front for something you are supposed to have won is highly suspicious. Please do not part with your cash unless you can verify who and where it is going to."

Casino Times has seen literally thousands of these scams. People usually receive a winning notification e-mail, or occasionally a letter in the post, advising them that they have won a lottery prize - usually based overseas. The lucky 'winner' is asked to contact the lottery organisers and are then asked to hand over an administration fee. And then the lottery organisers disappear.

In almost all cases, the individual should have been aware that the lottery is bogus as they never actually entered a draw or purchased a ticket.