The Emporia Gazette

May 28, 2012

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The Emporia Police Department and the Lyon County Attorney’s Office reported they have received questions regarding a Canadian lottery scam.

In a press release, Det. Sgt. Carlton Heller, of the Emporia Police Department, said there have not been any recent reported losses from the Canadian lottery scams.

“Lottery scams operating from Canada and other countries have improved their lottery scam,” the press release stated.

The scams state that people have won the lottery in a random drawing. Letters, which appear official, can include a serial number, lucky winning numbers, amount won and a claim number.

“What makes these an improvement is that they now enclose a check with the letter,” Heller said. “A very convincing-looking check. They tell unsuspecting victims that the money was deducted from the winnings, for payment of some sort of non-resident tax, international tariff or some other ruse.”

Victims are then instructed to go to their bank, deposit the check and then send a wire-transfer or money order to cover taxes to Canada.

Most checks are for more than the required taxes and banks often cash the authentic-looking check. When the check is sent for payment, it turns out to be fake. The individual who sends the money for the taxes is out the amount of the check and left with a situation that is virtually impossible to track, investigate and prosecute.

Heller suggested the following steps for consumers to protect themselves:

• Don’t sent money if a caller requires you to send money “right now” and that you must wire money before receiving your prize. Even if there is a “claims representative,” this person is a part of the scam.

• Don’t wire money to someone you don’t know well. After your money is paid, you will not get it back.

• Don’t send money to someone who tells you what to say to the wire transfer agent or says you should hide information or lie to the agent.

• Don’t provide personal information, account numbers or Social Security numbers over the phone or to people you don’t know.

• Always remember, if you did not purchase a lottery ticket, you did not win a lottery. There are no random drawings that enter you by e-mail or other means.