Press Releases

Spanish Lottery Scam Warning

Tuesday, 14th December, 2004

STIRLING Council Trading Standards has warned Stirling consumers to beware of letters claiming that they have won the Spanish lottery.

Neil Chalmers, Stirling Council Trading Standards Manager said “While consumers may find the prospect of a lottery win especially useful at this time of year this ‘win’ is just a scam”.

In order to claim their 'prize' people are asked to provide their bank account details and told that 5-10 per cent 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.

Trading Standards and the Office of Fair Trading have received dozens of complaints from people who have lost up to £25,000.

“People should never give out their bank details in response to an unsolicited letter or phone call,” said Mr Chalmers.

The El Gordo lottery is the official Spanish lottery but it is only open to Spanish residents. The people behind this scam are not connected to the real El Gordo lottery.

Consumers can stop many unsolicited telephone calls by contacting the Telephone Preference Service on 0845 070 0707 (or online at www.tpsonline.org.uk). Your name and address can be removed from most United Kingdom mailing lists by contacting the Mailing Preference Service on 0845 703 4599 (or online at www.mpsonline.org.uk)

Any person receiving unsolicited mail regarding a foreign lottery should contact Stirling Trading Standards on 0845 277 7000. Stirling Council Trading Standards Consumer Advisors are also available for consumer advice Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:00 at the Municipal Buildings, 8-10 Corn Exchange Road, Stirling, FK8 2HU or by emailing tradingstandards@stirling.gov.uk