Top 5 tips to recognize a lottery scam

We all dream of winning a lottery and and living in the lap of luxury, in swoops in the scam artists! Many of these scams play off our dreams, and promises us an insiders chance of winning these fictitious lotteries, for a price. First and foremost lets get this straight, there is no way of improving your chances of winning a lottery, you have the same odds of winning as anyone else and those odds are usually astronomical. We are emotional creatures and that’s what these scammers live off of. some of these scams will offer you a better chance of winning a lottery or say that you have already won in some magical way, then they will need money up front from you to process your payment or need your bank account number to set up an account with the lottery. Many of these scams contact you through your email account (which can easily be acquired no matter how careful you are), phone number, or postal mail. If you have already been scammed you should contact your local law enforcement, your financial institute, and the US Federal Trade commission (FTC). Here are some tips to help you recognize lottery scams and an example letter.

1. You have been contacted even though you have never entered a lottery.
2. NEVER GIVE MONEY UP FRONT OR ANY OF YOUR FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
3. Research the lottery you have been contacted about and make sure they have a physical address and a land phone line(not a cell phone).
4. Don’t let your emotions overrule your common sense.
5. Never trust any email, phone call or postal mail from anyone you don’t know.

Sample letter:

MEGA LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL website: www.megalottery.com

INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD DEPT.

REF Number : MLI/231-ILGI0431/04
BATCH Number : EAPA/15/096/PTNL
TICKET Number : 20511465897-6291
SERIAL Number : 472-971103
LUCKY Number : 8-66-97-22-71-64

RE : WINNING FINAL NOTIFICATION

Sir, Madam

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International programs held on the 29th of April 2004 Your E-mail address attached to Ticket number 20511465897-6291 with Serial number 472-971103 drew lucky numbers 8-66-97-22-71-64 which consequently won in the 2nd category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum payout of US$ 1,500,000.00 (One Million ,Five hundred Thousand United States Dollars).This is from a total cash prize of USD$15,000,000.00 Million shared among Ten International Lucky Winners in the Category A ( Plus )+ . CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Be informed that your documents have to pass our authority to obtain a clearance, which shall be attached to your Document in readiness of the subsequent onward transfer into your nominated bank account with 24 hours of completion of the authentication. Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information very confidential until your claims have been processed as the Beneficiary Certificate Ownership Winning Notification, Stamp duties and re-activation of Account of your prize /money remitted in readiness of the subsequent onward transfer into your nominated Bank Account is completed

This is in conformity with the latest transfer regulations signed by the Organization / Netherlands Government since this is part of our Security protocol measures to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 100,000,000 Companies and 200,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world, through the aid of our insurance Company www.ballonetsl.hq3.com

This promotional program takes place annually. We hope you will take part in our next year USD$45 Million International lottery. To file for your claim, please contact our /your fiducial agent MRS CATHERINE BLAKE the DOLLAR ACCREDITED PAYMENT AGENT
TEL: +31-650-470-334
FAX: +31-650-470-334
Email : cathyblake@winning.com

NOTE: That all winnings must be claimed not later than 30th of MAY 2004. After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake. Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.

Finally, we call on you to make sure that you note every letter clearly as stated for we will not be held responsible should there be any complications in this transaction due to laxity on your part. So you are to expedite action in claiming of your funds, for delays will compel us to disperse your funds, in other words, we shall divert your funds as stated above. In order to avoid unnecessary delays and mistakes, Kindly remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence.

Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program.

Yours truly
Mr Harry Herman
Lottery Coordinator