Swindlers trying out lottery scam in Alaska

Sunday, February 26, 2006 posted 09:24 PM EST

Con artists behind a lottery scam may be targeting Alaskans, according to a warning put out this week by Alaska State Troopers.

At least four McGrath-area residents received letters promising lottery winnings in exchange for money to process the prize, trooper spokesman Greg Wilkinson said.

The scammers target older people. Troopers worry the fraud has or will expand statewide.

"We just want to remind people: Don't ever send out your personal account information," Wilkinson said.

The scam is suspected to be based Outside and the FBI is investigating, Wilkinson said.

Would-be victims are sent a letter announcing that they won a lottery, Wilkinson said. It's unclear how much.

The letter contains a check for $10,000 and "lottery winners" are encouraged to deposit the check into their bank account. They are then asked to wire $10,000 or send a cashier's check in order to process the lottery winnings. But no winnings come, the $10,000 check bounces and victims are bilked out of their money.

"It takes about seven days for that bogus lottery check to work its way around the federal reserve," Wilkinson said. "By that time, your money is long gone."

The swindlers may also ask for bank account numbers and other personal information.

"They take that information, they go into your bank account and pretty much bleed you dry," Wilkinson said.

It's unclear if anyone in Alaska has fallen for the scam.

A trooper statement warns that solicitations promising large sums of money are usually frauds.

Anyone who has received a lottery letter is asked to contact their local trooper post, the statement said.

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