Fraud Alert!
International Lottery Schemes Blanket
Lee County
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has received several reports of mailings announcing “winners” in lotteries from all over the world. Included in the letter is usually a check “to pay for your tax and clearance fee.” They ask you to deposit the check in your bank account, and then wire the funds to your “North American Agent” – usually in Canada.
Although the check may appear to be from a legitimate American bank, it is actually a counterfeit or fake check. If you withdraw funds from the fake check, you will be on the hook for the entire amount you wired.
Generally, sending international lottery material through the mail or Internet is prohibited by federal law.
International lottery schemes have cost Floridians millions of dollars. If you receive a letter, e-mail, or phone call that claims you’ve won an international lottery, IT IS A SCAM! Do not send any money or verify any personal financial information such as bank or credit card account numbers. Hang up, delete the e-mail, or throw the mailing away!
For assistance call the
Lee Count Sheriff’s Office Fraud Line: 239-477-1242
CASE is a Partnership of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the community to prevent elder financial exploitation