Reference: FRAUD ALERT – Canadian Lottery Scam

On August 1st, the Portsmouth Police received a report from Portsmouth residents who were victims of what is commonly known as a Canadian Lottery Scam. The victims received an unsolicited telephone call from a female who claimed to represent the Canadian Lottery. The victims were informed that they had won $500,000 in a Canadian Lottery. HOWEVER… they were advised that in order to claim the prize they had to pay advance fees including taxes, insurance, armor vehicle fees and cross border fees. The victims in this case, paid thousands of dollars via wire transfers and never received any prize money.

THIS IS A COMMON FRAUD. If you receive a call such as described above or any unsolicited call from someone requesting money in advance so that you can claim a prize, hang up immediately and call your local police. You cannot win a prize from a contest of lottery you did not enter AND any legitimate contest or lottery will deduct any taxes or fees from the prize awarded.

The Portsmouth Police will be referring this investigation to the appropriate Federal law enforcement agency.

MICHAEL J. MAGNANT
CHIEF OF POLICE

________________________________
Timothy A. Brownell, Lieutenant
Bureau of Investigative Services
Portsmouth Police Department
603-610-7469
tbrownell@pd.cityofportsmouth.com