Beware e-mail scam promising $2.4 million lottery prize

Monday, September 18, 2006 posted 11:28 AM EDT

The state Attorney General's Office is warning against an e-mail scam that promises a $2.4 million prize from the Washington Lottery.

The e-mail, which bears the Lottery logo, requests $995 in "gaming commission charges" from the recipient to receive the prize. Some versions request a check, and others ask for a MoneyGram order through Rennies Foreign Exchange.

The illegal scam includes documents, either a "lottery winning certificate" or a "verification of lottery claim." It lists a claims representative with a fictitious Bellevue address and is signed by someone claiming to be the state lottery director, the Attorney General's Office reported.

Several people have received the e-mail, including residents in other states and overseas.

Consumers should be aware that a lottery ticket must be bought in person at a licensed retail location in order to win any prize. It is illegal to play or operate a lottery through the mail, on the phone or online.

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