Prize draw leaflets have been dropping through the doors of many Islington households recently. Local residents are warned to be particularly cautious about them, especially one mentioning the Spanish Lottery.
El Gordo, the name of the famous Spanish Lottery, has often made the international press for the vast payments made to Spanish residents who are lucky enough to win.
But Islington Council's Trading Standards team are warning residents who receive notification through the post, or by telephone, saying they have won a big cash prize through the Spanish Lottery, not to believe it unless they have bought a ticket.
A warning is also being given about scam emails telling recipients they have won money on lotteries supporting the 2012 Olympics. These unsolicited emails are also fakes.
Cllr George Allan, Executive Member for Customer Focus advised:
"If it seems to good to be true - it probably is. Never send money to anyone who says they need it to pay taxes or administration fees. Many people have lost huge sums of money by paying out cash in the hope of getting a big windfall."
"The elderly can be a particularly vulnerable to this type of crime - we've been made aware of several pensioners who have found themselves victims of fraud up to the value of £5,000."
Residents with any doubts about the genuine nature of a lottery or prize draw should contact Consumer Direct on 0845 405 06 07, or check the Office of Fair Trading website at www.oft.gov.uk
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Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008