Congratulations! You’ve won….. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

Congratulations! You’ve won….. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

*SCAM ALERT*

Fraudsters are exploiting interest in the Football World Cup to manipulate people into replying to scam lottery letters.

West Mercia residents are urged to be vigilant after a local resident received a scam letter promising prize money of £900,000.

We have been made aware after the resident received a letter stating that they had won £900,000 from the International FIFA World Cup Online Lottery.

The letter which was address to the resident and had their surname within the lottery reference number and asked the resident to make contact to begin the ‘claims process’

Fortunately, the letter was spotted by the resident as a scam.

If you receive a letter, please DO NOT RESPOND, don’t call the number email or provide personal details. If you have already paid money, provided banking or personal details, contact your bank immediately and report the scam to Report Fraud.

Key Indicators of the Scam:

You are asked to pay an "administrative fee" or provide bank details to release a prize.

You receive a notification for a lottery you never entered.

Urgency & Secrecy Letters demand a reply within seven days and often instruct you to keep your "win" confidential.

Claimed locations are often in Switzerland or London but are fake or misused locations.

Scam mail is often personalised using the recipient's name throughout the letter, as well as on images such as certificates and cheques

Artwork uses seals or crest and fonts that suggest they come from a financial institution or official body

Words like "guaranteed" or "100% genuine" are used and precise amounts of money are described

Signatures claim to be from officials with senior ranking titles and identification numbers

Please pass this information onto friends and family, particularly vulnerable individuals.

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Message Sent By
Rebecca Smith
(Police, Cyber & Fraud Protect, Prepare & Prevent Officer, Cyber Crime Unit)