Published: Tuesday, 18th November, 2008 12:30
Unsuccessful con artists resort to threats
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HOUSEHOLDERS should be on the alert because lottery scammers are on the prowl.
A woman in Playhatch received a cold call from an international number telling her she had won £3.4m, but the scammer told her she would have to phone another number and post out a £350 moneygram.
But when the unnamed woman refused to cooperate with the scammers, she started getting threatening phone calls.
Crime reduction adviser Julia Wheeler said: “During the conversation this lady was asked for her bank account details. As she became suspicious she did not part with any money or disclose any information, however she then started receiving threatening telephone calls from the same company, which the police are investigating.
“Two days later she received a letter which appears to be linked with the attempt to extract money from her. It was not until she told the company that she had gone to the police that the threatening phone calls stopped.
“I would like to warn the public to be careful as this a particularly nasty scam. The conmen threatened the lady when it became obvious she wasn’t going to give them the money.
“I would like to advise the public not to give their bank details over the phone or to part with any money in response to a cold call or a letter stating that you have won a prize. Remember that if something seems to be too good to be true, then it probably is.”
Anyone with information about this or similar incidents can contact police via 0845 8 505 505, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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