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Is this a scam?
Lozzzy
Posts: 9 Forumite
I'm new to the site so I'm sorry if this is in the wrong place.
Usually I'm good at spotting a scam but this one, I'm not sure what to think of it but it does seem too good to be true so your view on it would be good.
Basically my grandad got a call from something he entered last year. His memory is terrible so he can't remember if he actually entered anything. The woman said that he has been entered into a final draw after entering whatever it was supposedly last year. She told him the draw would take place in a couple of days and they would be in touch if he wins.
A few days later he get a call back saying that he won 3rd place in the draw and that he won £210,000. A lot of money! So alarm bells start ringing and he expects them to ask for bank details to transfer the money...
But no, they say they will send out a cheque with a guy who will require to see identification to confirm they are giving it to the correct person. They then proceed to tell him that they need to get some paperwork sorted to send to the inland revenue so that the money comes tax free. They are supposed to be sending out some information etc and they will be intouch after the weekend when the paperwork is in order.
Now at first I was certain it was a scam but since they haven't asked for bank details, I'm not exactly sure how they could scam him except with perhaps pretending the inland revenue forms aren't finished and ask him to fill in details there but that seems a tad long winded for scamming an old person. If you were going to so much trouble, surely you'd find a better mark who you knew had money.
My grandad can't remember the name of the draw/company but just wondered if it rang any bells with anyone
What do you think of it? We are going to go over the letter with a fine tooth comb and be there when they come with the cheque but just wondered what thoughts you had on it.
Usually I'm good at spotting a scam but this one, I'm not sure what to think of it but it does seem too good to be true so your view on it would be good.
Basically my grandad got a call from something he entered last year. His memory is terrible so he can't remember if he actually entered anything. The woman said that he has been entered into a final draw after entering whatever it was supposedly last year. She told him the draw would take place in a couple of days and they would be in touch if he wins.
A few days later he get a call back saying that he won 3rd place in the draw and that he won £210,000. A lot of money! So alarm bells start ringing and he expects them to ask for bank details to transfer the money...
But no, they say they will send out a cheque with a guy who will require to see identification to confirm they are giving it to the correct person. They then proceed to tell him that they need to get some paperwork sorted to send to the inland revenue so that the money comes tax free. They are supposed to be sending out some information etc and they will be intouch after the weekend when the paperwork is in order.
Now at first I was certain it was a scam but since they haven't asked for bank details, I'm not exactly sure how they could scam him except with perhaps pretending the inland revenue forms aren't finished and ask him to fill in details there but that seems a tad long winded for scamming an old person. If you were going to so much trouble, surely you'd find a better mark who you knew had money.
My grandad can't remember the name of the draw/company but just wondered if it rang any bells with anyone
What do you think of it? We are going to go over the letter with a fine tooth comb and be there when they come with the cheque but just wondered what thoughts you had on it.
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Comments
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They are sucking him in, till just the right moment, just be really careful (you seem to be on the ball anyway)
Yes, they may send a cheque, then tell him they have sent too much, can they have the balance back, grandad sends the balance,
original cheque from them bounces. Just my take on the situation. You are right to be cautious.
You know what they say about something too good to be true...................
Tell grandad not to do anything before he runs it by you.make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
and we will never, ever return.0 -
Well people do win such draws - once in a blue moon.
But this one doesn't ring quite true - the Inland Revenue bit seems a bit odd.
You are right to be wary.0 -
Maybe there will be a tax or fee that needs to be paid in advance to release the 'winnings'?
If I were you, I would see if the good people over at scamwarners.com have any ideas? They seem to be very clued up and have a good nose for foul play!0 -
Hmm - "will need to get some paperwork sorted", would guess that's when they get the bank details for "release fees"...
Being there when they turn up sounds like a good idea. Take a camera - "whoo, we're over the moon, never won anything before - would love a piccie of you handing over the cheque".0 -
I have checked in with the experts, could the caller by any chance have a Jamaican accent? This scam format typically comes from Jamaica (so check for overseas callers) and they work the longer game than their email (often W African) counterparts. They specifically target older people and gamblers, specifically make a few calls not mentioning any fees, typically 'will send a man with a cheque', and only once he is "on his way" will the fees be mentioned. They will be very forceful, beware.
The bad news is that they are tenacious, there have been examples of one gent who disconnected his phone as he was getting bombarded with calls, they found his neighbours number and started calling them to go and get him to the phone. These guys are shocking bullies, you are right to be concerned and stay right on top of this one.
What can you do about it? I guess you can specifically ask them for a UK landline to call them back on (although VOIP/Skype means this is no longer a guarantee, any real company will have an extension already), if they want you to call an 070 number you can guarantee it is a fake (international redirect). Better still, get the supposed company name and address, and look up their phone number to call, post it here, and we can dig deeper. Listen for accents, again not foolproof, but if you're speaking to a girl in an office in say Newcastle, chances are whoever is handing out huge cash sums would be fairly senior, and so speak with eloquence and local knowledge.0 -
It's also worth mentioning that a competition prize, even of that size, is not subject to tax anyway, and therefore there is absolutely nothing to do with the Inland Revenue. Even if they were interested, HMRC/IR would go to the recipient, and not to the prize-giver.
It's a scam. Sorry.Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps....
LB moment - March 2006. DFD - 1 June 2012!!! DEBT FREE!
May grocery challenge £45.61/£1200 -
Total, total scam.
No-one, repeat no-one gives away money.
They will want YOU to give THEM money...that's how it works!!!Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why then you're as thick and stupid as the moderators on here - MSE ForumTeam0 -
If they call again - tell them they can only come by appointment.
Arrange a date and time suitable so that you can be there as well and then ask the police (or someone similar) if they would like to attend as well. I am sure someone would be interested in a story like that.“That old law about 'an eye for an eye' leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing.”0 -
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Oopsadaisy wrote: »Er...no they won't.
Seriously they have far better things to do.
You must be informing the wrong people then :rotfl:“That old law about 'an eye for an eye' leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing.”0
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