Pensioner's warning over lottery scam
A PENSIONER who received a letter saying he had won nearly �1million in a Spanish lottery hoax has warned others not to fall victim to the scam.Michael Lawrence quickly saw through the crooked prize offer when it came through his letter box last week but said he feared others might be more susceptible to the scam and could end up losing thousands of pounds.
A PENSIONER who received a letter saying he had won nearly �1million in a Spanish lottery hoax has warned others not to fall victim to the scam.
Michael Lawrence quickly saw through the crooked prize offer when it came through his letter box last week but said he feared others might be more susceptible to the scam and could end up losing thousands of pounds.
The letter, which claims to be from the lottery's managing director of international promotion and prize award department, is full of reference and batch numbers and urges the recipient to send back bank details and date of birth.
Former Felixstowe dock worker, Mr Lawrence, 71, who lives in Mendlesham, near Stowmarket, with his wife Sue, said the letter was from the Spanish Sweepstake Lottery SA and promised him �985,950.
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He said: “The letter came through the post from Spain. It's written to Mike Lawrence - how they got my details I don't know.
“Someone vulnerable might fall for it. I have never even bought a lottery ticket, so it's news to me.”
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Lesley Crompton, a fair trading officer for Suffolk Trading Standards, said: “Our advice would be to never respond to them - if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. The simplest thing to do is to put these letters in the bin.
“They prey on elderly people because they are more trusting. Anyone concerned can ring Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.”
