ELLIOT LAKE – The East Algoma OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) is currently investigating a report of fraudulent lottery winnings.
The victims attended the Elliot Lake Detachment on March 1, 2016 reporting that they believe they had been defrauded. They explain that they had been contacted by a male stating they had won 1.5 million dollars. A confirmation number was given to the victims with a telephone number to call and confirm their winnings. The call was made and the winning were allegedly confirmed. The victims had recently entered a contest and believed this may be the winnings of the contest. The victims were directed to send money to release their winnings. A large amount of money was forwarded on different occasions by the victims and again, the fake lottery representative wanted more. At this time the victims contacted police.
The OPP is continuing their investigation.
Detachment commander Inspector Yves Forget reminds citizens that there are an ever-growing number of scam lottery emails/telephone calls advising consumers they have won a jackpot. The OPP asks that you consider the following when you receive a solicitation of this kind as lotteries do not; notify winners by email, use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you, tell you to call a mobile phone number, tell you to keep your winnings secret, ask a winner to pay any fees up front (like taxes or a security deposit) to receive a prize, lottery or sweepstake!
REMEMBER …..You cannot win without first buying a lottery ticket!
