U S LOTTERY

kangoora

Just by the fact you actually rang them (Lynch) to enquire about the win probably means you have already gone onto a 'suckers' list. Be very careful in the future and expect more calls offering you loads of money (providing you pay them something first).

adam06_2

Supermarket cards/vouchers are classic way scammers ask for money.

Seldonista

Heard from a friend but this happens on Tinder too 

firestone

Seldonista said:

Heard from a friend but this happens on Tinder too 

What that its like winning the lottery or that  you have to pay first 

Malthusian

Sailtheworld said:

It's a bit of a rubbish scam. 

As the potential victim happily sets off for the supermarket to buy their paysafe card they must congratulate themselves on entering the US Lottery and then think 'oh hang on'.

Too much time between hook and cash extraction.

If they were going to think that they'd think that before logging into their online bank account as well. People who fall for scams are quite stupid. If there weren't enough stupid people you wouldn't get lottery scams, Nigerian Prince scams, etc.

They ask for a Paysafe card rather than a bank transfer because the bank might flag it as a suspicious transaction.

What often happens is that the victim assumes the lottery has made a mistake but they'll claim the money anyway. Advance fee fraud scams often involve an element of illegality or at least dishonesty. It helps attract the right kind of mark and makes them less likely to call the police. Hence the Prince of Mulumbu asking you to launder money for him.

"Hi, I paid £200 to someone so I could claim a jackpot from the US lottery and they've run off." "Ok sir, did you enter the US lottery?" "Um, no, but..." "Ok sir, so I understand you wish to report two crimes, advance fee fraud, and attempt to defraud a lottery. [Attempted fraud = fraud, there is no requirement in the Fraud Act for money to have actually been obtained.] One of the perpetrators is probably in the Ukraine and the other is standing in front of me. I have fifteen minutes left on my shift. Are you sure you wish to make this report?"

AnotherJoe

MagnumMagnum said:

Mmm!  I thought it sounded like a scam but there’s always that element of doubt/hope in your mind!  Thanks again guys!

There shouldn't have been. Next time, (there will be one since by now you'll be on a suckers list), hang up rather than wait to see if they can be convincing enough to overcome your element of hope.