A Fife man has warned people not to fall for a lottery scam after he received a “very believable-looking” document telling him he had scooped £720,000.
David McCann, 56, from Springfield, received the notification purporting to be from the Euromillions People’s International Postcode Lottery.
The letter, which featured the official EuroMillions logo, informed him he had been selected through a computer ballot system drawn from more than 70 million individuals to receive the cash as part of a promotion of the first European Games in Azerbaijan.
The letter states: “Please to help us proceed with your claims this information must be kept away from public to avoid unwarranted abuse of the program of fraudulent acts from criminal minded and unauthorised persons.”
Mr McCann said: “It actually does look quite real and I sometimes do the EuroMillions and the Baku Games is a real event, but I wasn’t fooled as I have heard of these sorts of scam letters doing the rounds before.
“I’ve certainly never been sent one though and it does make you wonder how they get a hold of your details and target you.
“My concern is, due to the fact it looks quite genuine, other folk could be taken in by this if they didn’t know any better, especially elderly people or those who aren’t as aware of these sort of scams.”
A Police Scotland spokesman warned members of the public to beware of these letters.
“There are a variety of scams utilised by criminals to obtain money and personal information from the public, and we would urge our communities to remain vigilant,” he said.
“Unless you are entirely certain of the authenticity of a person or group and the services they offer, then do not provide them with any form or payment or any of your details.”
A Fife Council trading standards spokeswoman urged anyone who receives any correspondence they believe could be fraudlent to contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Advice can also be obtained via the Citizens’ Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06, or online at www.adviceguide.org.uk.