NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH POLICE
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Canadians are solicited over the phone, by email or through social media websites with claims that they are the winner of a large lottery or sweepstake.
However, prior to receiving any winnings, they must first pay an upfront fee. Scammers come up with new twists to prey on potential victims.
Scammers advise that you have won a prize (cash and car) and in order to receive the winnings you are required to pay a small advance fee to cover taxes or legal fees associated to the win.
Scammers target seniors by claiming to represent Reader's Digest, or Publisher's Clearing House and use their financial information to take over their accounts, which is then used to launder money and proceeds from other mass marketing fraud scams.
Warning signs - How to protect yourself:
- Known lottery and sweepstakes companies will never request money up front in order to receive a prize.
- Any fees associated to winnings will never be paid through Western Union, MoneyGram or by prepaid credit cards.
- Any unsolicited phone call advising that you have won a lottery is fake.
- The only way to participate in any foreign lottery is to go to the country of origin and purchase a ticket in person.
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