HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
EAST HAWAII CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SECTION
LIEUTENANT RANDALL MEDEIROS
PHONE: 961-2252
NOVEMBER 18, 2004

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are warning residents about a possible mail scam in which an alleged foreign lottery promises excellent odds at winning millions of dollars.

The lottery organizers offer to sell tickets for less than $20 each for a chance at more than $900 million in cash awards.

Lieutenant Randall Medeiros, head of the East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section, said, “While we can’t confirm that this particular offer is a hoax, we know it is very much like other similar solicitations in the past that have proven to be fictitious.”

“In addition, Hawaii state law prohibits participating in lotteries and other forms of gambling from within the state even if the event itself occurs via the Internet or by mail outside the state, including foreign lands,” he said.

“We advise anyone receiving such correspondence against participating in the alleged lottery.”

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