The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau is issuing a warning about a suspected lottery fraud that is being used to secure victims personal details rather than their money.
To date analysts have identified what appears to be four separate scams where people are receiving individually addressed letters saying they have won either the Microsoft, FIFA Euro 2012 or Euro Millions lotteries.
Recipients of the letters are informed they need to complete a claims form to indicate whether they want to receive their winnings by cheque or bank transfer, which must then be either emailed or faxed back to the companies allegedly operating from the following addresses:
- 99 Gresham Street – Microsoft Lottery: asks recipients to respond by email
- Canada Square, Canary Wharf E14 – FIFA Euro 2012 Lottery: ask recipients to respond by fax to Northwest Financial Consultants
- 16 Eastcheap London EC3 – Euro Millions Lottery: ask recipients to respond by email
- 1 Ropemaker Street EC2 – Euro Millions Lottery International: Alfy Europe Consultants or Alpha Funds & Wealth Management UK or Haworth Security Ltd: ask recipients to respond by fax
All of the above addresses house legitimate businesses that have no association with the companies listed above.
In each case victims are not being asked for any fee, but instead their credentials – including bank details - which could be used to commit another crime.
The NFIB first became aware of the suspected fraud after people without access to email or fax, or who misunderstood the instructions, posted their claims forms back to the listed addresses. This inadvertently prevented their details being disclosed to the fraudsters.
As the number of letters arriving increased, security at all four locations became suspicious and notified the police. The NFIB has since suspended the phone lines, only for them to quickly re-emerge under the guise of an alternative company name.
DC Alex Eristavi, from the NFIB, said:“On this occasion it appears that fraudsters are preying on people’s hopes and dreams to secure personal information now, and money later.
To report a fraud, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use our online fraud reporting tool.
