Police investigate scams claiming wins in lottery

Tuesday, September 26, 2006 posted 11:05 AM EDT

TROY -- City police are investigating scams in which residents are asked to help pay promotional fees after being told they've won a lottery and given a check that later bounces.

In one case, an 85-year-old man received a letter earlier this month saying he had won a $100,000 lottery. The letter included a check for $3,950, which he was told would cover surcharges. He was given a phone number to call, and the woman who answered told him to deposit the check and then send a wire transfer of $3,675 to cover the fees.

The man deposited the check in his account and did as he was told. When the check bounced, the man was out the money from his savings. Several days later, the man got a similar letter from another company claiming he had won $250,000. Inside was a check for $3,985 and a note saying it would cover $2,985 in taxes.

A Troy woman informed police she received a similar letter, saying she had won $85,500 from a London-based lottery. She, too, received a check for $2,998.05, and the letter said she owed $5,301 for a sponsors' commission.

Most of the letters list addresses in Canada, said Troy Police Sgt. John Cooney.

His advice to anyone getting such a letter: "Throw it away."

"If it sounds too good to be true, it is," he said. "There are no companies out there looking to give away money for no ulterior motive."

Related Links
	Lottery News & Stories
	New York Lottery Results
	Search Past New York Lottery Winning Numbers