Police warn of lottery scam

Wednesday, March 08, 2006 posted 11:20 AM EST

A new scam is afoot in Bartlesville, and police department officials are warning citizens not to be taken in.

Several citizens have logged complaints with the police department of being notified that they have won the Canadian Lottery, but police say the announcement is a scam.

“The Bartlesville Police Department has received numerous calls in reference to a possible fraud occurring in the area,” Lt. Mike Richardson said in a press release issued Tuesday.

“Citizens are contacted by a variety of means such as certified letters, e-mails and phone calls. The person is told that they have won the Canadian Lottery and a check is either enclosed or mailed shortly to the victim,” he said.

Richardson said the victim is instructed to cash the check and send the money back in order to receive the winnings.

“However, the check is bogus and the victim is out the money sent to the Canadian company,” he said.

Other reports to the newspaper indicate some recipients are able to cash the check and report sending “taxes” to a Canadian company only to have the check returned for “insufficient funds.”

Richardson reminded citizens that they should not have to pay money to receive winnings owed to them.

“Situations of this nature should be thoroughly checked out before proceeding,” he said.

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