Foreign lottery scams explained How foreign lottery scams work
Foreign lottery scams are one of the most common types of scams operating in the UK.
Every day people throughout the UK open their post or turn on their computer to find scam mail promising thousands or millions in an overseas lottery winnings.
Which? research in 2005 showed that 16% of Britain’s adult population (almost eight million people) had seen or received material promoting this type of scam.
Often these foreign lottery scams offer you a winning ticket or the prize in return for an 'administration' or 'registration' fee. But the prize never exists.
Foreign lottery scams
The government’s advice service Consumer Direct highlights two lottery scams operating out of Canada and Spain.
It reports that people have lost up to £300,000 on the Canadian Lottery by responding to more and more telephone calls demanding payments to cover costs in order to receive their winnings.
The official operator of the Spanish El Gordo lottery, Loterias y Apuestas de Estado, has also warned about fraudsters using the name El Gordo and forging documentation and bank forms to obtain money under false pretences.
El Gordo foreign lottery scam
Consumer Direct says that mailings and emails are being sent to UK consumers claiming they have won the Spanish lottery.
In order to claim their 'prize', people are asked to provide their bank account details and told that 5-10% of the winnings will be retained for costs.
However the 'winners' are later contacted and asked for various fees in order to release their alleged prize, and they never receive a penny.
If you receive a foreign lottery scam
If you are a victim of a foreign lottery scam, call Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506.
Ignore and destroy all scam letters, emails or phone calls promising lottery winnings in return for an admin or transfer fee. A classic way to identify a foreign lottery scam is if you've never heard of the foreign lottery or agent. If you didn't enter a foreign lottery you won't have won.
Do not reply – even to ask they stop contacting you – as you'll confirm your identity to scammers and may end up being sent more mail.
