Police Urge Players to Beware of Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Lottery Scam
Last Updated: Friday 21st March 2014, 17:00
A Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Lottery scam is currently in operation where scammers send out letters to inform people that they have won a large sum of money. Following the discovery of the scam yesterday, police have issued a warning for people to be extra vigilant.
The scam, which police became aware of after members of the public received letters telling them that they had won a prize in the Common Wealth of National Online Lottery, consisted of letters which used logos of both the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the National Lottery. The letters said that the recipient had won a prize but, in order to receive the win, they had to send their bank details. Despite using official imagery, police have confirmed that the letters are in no way associated with the Commonwealth Games or the National Lottery.
It appears that the scam may have been in operation for some times as police have said that a number of people have fallen victim to the scam and many have lost “significant amounts of money.” Anyone who has received a letter of this kind, or has replied with their bank details, is asked to call the police on 101.
If you are worried that you have been a victim of a scam, we would like to remind you of some key points:
- The only way to win a prize in a lottery is to have purchased a valid ticket and matched a winning combination
- Lottery officials will never tell that, in order to release your winnings, you need to pay a fee
- Lotteries will never enter you into draw without your consent
- Legitimate lottery prizes can only be claimed upon presentation of a winning ticket
Further information on scams can be found on the Lottery Scams page.
