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The Brampton Guardian
Winning the lottery doesn’t come with a fee
The Brampton Guardian
Sunday November 1 2009
 
BRAMPTON - That “scratch and win” lottery ticket you just found on the ground might look like a winner, but it’s really just a scam, Peel Regional Police Fraud Bureau officers are warning.

In most cases, the victims are tricked into paying a “registration fee” to get the non-existent winnings, police report.

The bogus winning tickets are found in public places, including shopping malls or near bank machines. Scratching the ticket reveals it is a ‘winner’ and directs the holder to call a telephone number. Someone claiming to represent the lottery company answers the phone, confirms the ticket is a winner, and then asks for a registration fee. Arrangements are made to have the fee picked up from the victims, either by taxi or courier, and the victims are told their winnings will be delivered later.

The lottery prize is never paid out, according to police.

In another twist, victims meet someone walking by them who claims they have found a winning ticket and they need help claiming the prize. The victim is asked to make the call to the number on the back of the ticket, or to loan the stranger his or her cell phone.

Sometimes, a second con artist shows up, pretending not to know the first, and together, they will convince the victim to contribute part of the registration fee needed to access the windfall. In return, the victim is promised a percentage of the winners.

To avoid falling for this or similar scams, Peel police suggest the following:

• be suspicious of any unscratched lottery ticket you find on the ground;

• look at the name of the lottery on the ticket. Is it a lottery you recognize?

• try to verify the legitimacy of the lottery before you even make the call to the number on the back of the ticket;

• remember, lottery corporations do not make you pay a “registration fee” or any other fee in order to collect your money;

• be very suspicious of anyone who approaches you and claims to be a winner of a found lottery ticket. Would you share your winnings with a complete stranger?

• if anyone asks for money to cover the cost of a registration fee, walk away and call police.
•  contact Phonebusters at 1-888-495-8501 or visit www.phonebusters.com and tell them about the ticket.

Anyone with information on these frauds is urged to call Peel’s Fraud Bureau at 905-453-2121, ext. 3335, or Peel Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).