Protect Yourself and Report the Latest Frauds, Scams, Spams, Fakes, Identify Theft Hacks and Hoaxes
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If you replied to the email from "Albert Pittas" at "Camelot - UK National Lottery" telling you that "your email address won in the second category" or something similar, and to contact "TSXPress" to collect your winnings, you will probably get one of the emails below back from the scammers. Of course, it is a scam. Notices the pathetic spelling. For example, the scammer means to say "duress", not "durex" (which is a brand of latex condom). That's not the type of mistake a real lottery would make.
And of course, it is just plain stupid to think that "the cheque has been insured" as the scammer claims. There is no need to insure a check! Then for the "lottery" to make insulting and stupid comments like
"Do you expect a staff to go to the bank and stand as Carol Gulible? Or do you want your cheque torn into parts and the TSXPress takes the smaller part for the charge?"
is just further proof that this is not from a legitimate organization.
Although the most important clue is that no legitimate lottery will ever email a winner, nor require a winner to pay any fees, taxes or delivery charges, there are many other signs that this is a fraud. We have highlighted some of these in the email below, not the least of which are:
NO LOTTERY ANYWHERE REQUIRES WINNERS TO PAY FEES, TAXES OR OTHER CHARGES TO COLLECT THEIR WINNINGS!!! Can we say it any more plainly than that?
Pigeon English - Notice that as the scammer gets past the initial template email and must write free-form, how his grammar, spelling and basic sentence structure go straight in the toilet. The scammers don't even know how to use spell checkers. After all, this is a stupid, low-life criminal in the heart of Africa, who probably dropped out of school at age 5 to join a gang or militia. Obviously, real lotteries also proofread their emails and look and read more professional.
Using free email account: The scammer is writing to you from a FREE email account (Yahoo, Hotmail, Excite, AIM, Gmail, etc.). Don't you think a real organization would use its own email, its own domain and website?
Keep Confidential - Real lotteries THRIVE on publicity - they don't want you to keep anything secret - the publicity causes people to buy more tickets. there is NO risk of "double claiming" because they can validate where the ticket numbers were sold. The scammer want you to keep quiet because they don't want the police or ConsumerFraudreporting to hear about them! It should read: "For our own security, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential until we have finished scamming you!"
Here is a typical scam lottery winning notification.
3b Olympic Way, Sefton Business Park,
Aintree, Liverpool , L30 1RD
REF NO: MELI-T/ 17-F044262312
BATCH: 901/00319/HLP
Dear Carol,
Has TSXPress replied to your enquiry? Well,Mr Allen discussed with me over the telephone moments ago and explained why Cash On Delivery is not accepted.
I just want to inform you that you are not under any form of pressure/durex in claiming your funds.In my last correspondence, I informed you that Your Cash Prize has been awarded in Cheque Form and not in Cash.This advice complies with the Anti-Fraud section 2,sub section (iv) of the procedural manual of the funds disbursement agreement existing between lottery companies and the British Government.In order to prevent theft or other eventualities.
Thus,it would be very impossible to make deduction from your cheque.You should understand that the cheque has been insured in your name and so no other party can tamper with it.If you suggest that TSXPress,deducts the charges for delivery,that would mean TSXPress cashing your cheque,which is totally impossible.
Do you expect a staff to go to the bank and stand as Carol Gulible? Or do you want your cheque torn into parts and the TSXPress takes the smaller part for the charge?
Carol,the TSXPress has been affiliated to the National Lottery since its establishment.They have been assigned for the sales of National Lottery tickets as well as distribution of lottery prizes and cheque.No misappropriation of funds has been encountered nor any complaints been recorded.
On behlaf of Camelot,I assure you a 100% 24hr hitch free delivery service by the TSXPress.
Ensure to follow every procedure as instructed by Mr Allen and you would be a happy person over night.
However, madam; attached to this email is a copy of the Camelot/National Lottery DISCLAIM FORM. If you feel inconvenient handling the charges for delivery,please fill the form appropriately and return back soonest.
Albert Pittas
Click here for the huge list of the names of the currently identified lottery scams companies
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