Don’t be stung by Spanish lotto scam

Aug 1 2008

DON’T fall for a lottery scam targeting people in Central Ayrshire.

For several homes in MP Brian Donohoe’s constituency have been targeted by conmen hoping to convince people to part with their cash to claim a bumper prize. He explained that several people have received letters allegedly from the Loeria Nacional in Madrid informing them that a lottery ticket in their names has won almost one million Euros.

People were then urged to make a telephone call for processing the claim, which is in reality a con to make you part with personal information and your cash.

The Central Ayrshire MP warned: “This is a thinly veiled swindle that has been targeting people in various parts of the world over the last four years.

“It has hit Scotland before, and now it has returned, this time affecting a cluster of homes in Central Ayrshire.

“If you receive a letter like this, do not respond.

“You have not won any money. Indeed you will probably never have even bought a Spanish lottery ticket.

“This is a heartless attempt to con you into giving away private information and persuading you to part with money – perhaps dressed up as agent’s commission’.”

He added: “The rule of thumb with these things is., if it seems too good to be true, then it most certainly is.”