Police issue lottery scam alert

7:19pm Monday 17th November 2008

Comments (1)   Have your say »

Police are warning the public to be vigilant following an attempted lottery scam in south Oxfordshire.

A woman in Playhatch received a cold call from an international telephone number. She was told she had won £3.4m but in order to claim her winnings she was asked to phone a telephone number.

She was given a reference number and asked to fill out a moneygram from the Post Office to post £350 to them.

Crime Reduction Adviser Julia Wheeler said: “During the conversation this lady was asked for her bank account details.

"As she became suspicious she did not part with any money or disclose any information, however she then started receiving threatening telephone calls from the same company, which the police are investigating.

"Two days later she then received a letter which appears to be linked with the attempt to extract money from her. It was not until she told the company that she had gone to the police that the threatening phone calls stopped.

“I would like to warn the public to be careful as this a particularly nasty scam. The conmen threatened the lady when it became obvious she wasn’t going to give them the money.

“I would like to advise the public not to give their bank details over the phone or to part with any money in response to a cold call or a letter stating that you have won a prize. Remember that if something seems to be too good to be true, then it probably is.”

Anyone with any information about these incidents, or any similar can contact the police via 0845 8 505 505, or if you don’t want to talk to the police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.