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01/06/2005
Police warn of lottery and internet scams
The PSNI’s Fraud Squad are warning members of the public to be vigilant as a wave of financial scams have taken place across Northern Ireland recently.
Officers said that a number of people have received letters and telephone calls to their home or business telling them they have won a large amount of money via the Spanish or Canadian lottery and in order to release the money the person should pay a small sum to cover local taxes.
Personal banking details are also requested in another type of scam which claims to be from an 'overseas' government official or solicitor acting on behalf of a deceased person with no known living relatives within that country.
The scam states that millions of dollars can be moved out of the country to the bank account of an individual here. However, before the funds can be accessed the individual must forward a sum of money in order for the process to commence.
The local tourist industry is also being targeted, as a number of hotels and guesthouses have had bookings from fraudsters who negotiate a price, forward a cheque for a larger amount and then ask the business to reimburse them. The reimbursement is often requested by way of money transfer, such as Western Union. However, the initial cheque sent by the fraudster eventually turns out to be stolen or altered.
Fortunately a number of businesses targeted have declined the offer from the criminals.
Police say all of these examples are widespread scams currently in operation in Northern Ireland and detectives are warning members of the public to remain vigilant.
Anyone with information relation to any of the above is asked to contact detectives at Strandtown on 028 9065 0222.
(MB)
Officers said that a number of people have received letters and telephone calls to their home or business telling them they have won a large amount of money via the Spanish or Canadian lottery and in order to release the money the person should pay a small sum to cover local taxes.
Personal banking details are also requested in another type of scam which claims to be from an 'overseas' government official or solicitor acting on behalf of a deceased person with no known living relatives within that country.
The scam states that millions of dollars can be moved out of the country to the bank account of an individual here. However, before the funds can be accessed the individual must forward a sum of money in order for the process to commence.
The local tourist industry is also being targeted, as a number of hotels and guesthouses have had bookings from fraudsters who negotiate a price, forward a cheque for a larger amount and then ask the business to reimburse them. The reimbursement is often requested by way of money transfer, such as Western Union. However, the initial cheque sent by the fraudster eventually turns out to be stolen or altered.
Fortunately a number of businesses targeted have declined the offer from the criminals.
Police say all of these examples are widespread scams currently in operation in Northern Ireland and detectives are warning members of the public to remain vigilant.
Anyone with information relation to any of the above is asked to contact detectives at Strandtown on 028 9065 0222.
(MB)
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