Scams - beware

A few years back you had featured a case, which I referred to you, in which I had received a scam whereby I supposedly won an Audi. This time I received the enclosed (another scam) which you may also publish. I never played or participated in this lottery! (Ian Azzopardi)

Mr Azzopardi received a letter from Elgordo Loteria Primitiva in Spain informing him that his ticket no. 05573 had been approved for a lump sum payout of, "four hundred and fifteen thousand, eight hundred and ten euro in cash credited to your security file number EDLP-76500K13-08".

Where is the scam? you may ask. Well, in the same letter, the "winner" is advised that his/her funds must be insured to the original value in his/her name if s/he cannot go to Spain personally to claim his/her winnings before they can be transferred to the winner.

Fortunately the majority of "winners", like Mr Azzopardi, take such letters for what they are. On the other hand those who fall for it may not be willing to share their experience. However, if you have been bitten and you are prepared to share your experience with a view to warning others, you may share your experience in our column.

Although we normally insist on featuring names, in such cases (i.e. when a consumer falls for a scam) we will not disclose the identity of anybody who is willing to share such an experience with a view to warning others who may otherwise fall for it. Regarding such matters, we must never miss an opportunity to learn from others who were bitten.