Police warn of lottery scam 06-17-05

HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
SOUTH HILO PATROL DIVISION
OFFICER PAUL D. KIM
PHONE: 961-2213
JUNE 17, 2005

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are warning residents to be wary of another scam, this one involving unsolicited announcements that the recipient has won a large amount of money in a foreign lottery.

Police have received complaints that residents are receiving letters from countries such as Canada or Spain that they have won a large amount of money in a lottery. Some of the letters have been delivered by Fed Ex or UPS, police said.

The letters then tell the “winner” he or she can claim the money only by sending personal bank account information or a registered check for a nominal amount.

Police warned against sending any personal bank account information to any unknown person or company. Thieves can use such information to empty a victim’s bank account.

They also noted that legitimate lotteries do not require participants to send checks or provide information about their bank accounts in order to collect their winnings.

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