Email Lotto Scam Targeting Ulster Computer Users

A NEW email lotto scam claiming to come from the Irish National Lottery is targeting computer users in Ulster.

People are being warned the email is fake and with absolutely no link to the Republic's official gaming organisation.

And the official Irish Lottery is urging recipients to bear in mind one simple fact - you can't win a prize in a lottery you haven't entered.

The bogus email was sent to a Belfast pensioner who was initially taken in by the promise she'd won £785,963.

It purported to come from a Mr Mark O Meara, National Co-ordinator, Irish National Lottery, 11G Lower Dorset Street, Dublin 1.

But, when checked further, it turned out to be a scam.

The genuine Irish Lottery has urged the public to be vigilant.

Said a spokesman: "These lottery scams are cleverly and convincingly written, but deceptive and completely fraudulent.

"Thousands of people have lost money paying 'commissions' and 'charges' to receive cash prizes they've been falsely told they've won.

"The opportunists behind these scams are stealing large amounts of money from gullible people and they tarnish the legitimate marketers of government lotteries."

When Sunday Life contacted Trading Standards, a spokesman said it had been unaware of this particular scam.

But after investigation he confirmed it was a fraud.

He said: "Treat them with caution, be wary and do not respond to such emails.

"No one should ever part with money or disclose banking details to anyone linked to these rip-offs."

Source: Sundaylife.co.uk

Euro Millions International Scam

A while I know, but we've just uploaded the Euro Millions International scam to the database.

Many thanks to Aike for alerting us to the scam.

Scam Avoided

This is what makes the blog worth while:

I want to thank your website for helping me avoid a possible scam.

Last week, I received an email from the Euromillions Lotery Agency, very much like the one in the Lotto Scams section of this website. But before I did the research, I replied. I was asked to come to Brussels Belgium to claim a One Million Dollar prize I had won from the Lottery, but I have never entered that lottery.

I sent in all the neccessary paperwork, but since I was not able to go to Belgium, they appointed an Attorney for me. He sent me more paperwork, and now has requested personal identification and a partial payment of 925 euros, or approximately $1300 US dollars before he can claim my prize money on my behalf. The attorney is named Vincent De Smet, Advocaten and Procuren.

The Legal Consultation form he sent me has a picture of him, and it looks very real. But after reading some of the scams on your website, i have determined that it is a scam, and I have decided not to send him any money. He has called me twice in two days asking me to send the money by Western Union. Thank you for helpng me with this one. I will definately check back here if I get anymore emails.

Thanks again.