Surely can't be genuine?

SarahReid

Hi guys,

I just recieved yesterday a letter from spain. It was in a normal envelope, typed address with a spannish stamp. I opened it to discover a very official looking letter. I read on to discover this was a legal company, who were investigating a sweepstake company, in spain. I had apparently been awarded with some number of euros from a lottery ticket which was in my name. I had never bought such a thing but it then goes on to say it was bought by an investment comany who bet with names from around the world in order to increase their chances of winning. They have then invested this money. Which I'm guessing did well as seems to have made profit from the figures.There was an attempt to release the money after 6m but had apparently failed due to some address issues and wrong claims from wrong people.

So basically thay are asking me to call this international number for them to asist me to claim my prize.

Yeah right!

Anyone else heard of this?
Seems like a pile of it but its really odd and making me think about how on earth did they get my name and address etc and why.

Oppinons please

xx

robpw2

spam and eggs

hilstep2000

It's a scam. This company were on Watchdog a few weeks ago.

SarahReid

Thanks. I was sure that it would be a scam but what worried me was how they got my address.

I'm in one of those protection schemes for my phone number and address. It surely doesnt work!

Thanks tho, just wanted to clarify

Chrissybh0y

Had a few of them too, but i get them in automated fone callz

Crabman

Hi Sarah, I've moved this to the Warnings & Rip-Offs Board

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

geo555

SarahReid wrote: »

Thanks. I was sure that it would be a scam but what worried me was how they got my address.

I'm in one of those protection schemes for my phone number and address. It surely doesnt work!

Thanks tho, just wanted to clarify

These protection schemes are not going to put off scammers, besides, the letter was sent from abroad so it would not be covered by the Mail Preference Scheme.

ManAtHome

SarahReid wrote: »

Thanks. I was sure that it would be a scam but what worried me was how they got my address.

I'm in one of those protection schemes for my phone number and address. It surely doesnt work!

The protection schemes work well, but only with legit companies. The scamsters probably just buy/steal a few phone books or one of the many CDs with "hundreds and thousands of potential leads, megabuck profits guaranteed". Sounds like they bought their mailing list from Exchange and Mart if they're using the post - lol.

Interesting variation on the "you have won a big prize, please send release fee" scam though.

Danyúl_II

Go to Youtube, type in "unlucky winner Real Hustle" and watch that.

That'll explain everything.

pinkshoes

SarahReid wrote: »

it then goes on to say it was bought by an investment comany who bet with names from around the world in order to increase their chances of winning.

:rotfl:Now why would putting tickets in someone else's name increase the chance of winning?!? I'm quite sure there's no limit to the number of lottery tickets one can buy, and there's certainly no statistical advantage to having the same name on them!

They'll get money from the phone call, then ask you to send them an administration fee... then that's the last you'll hear from them

Is this the company where some people even travelled to Spain to collect their money, and were issued fake notes?? It was on the bbc website yesterday I think...

Fifer

Read this.