Tow Law scam warning after prize-winning letter received (From The Northern Echo)

Tow Law man issues scam warning after receiving prize-winning letter

11:36am Monday 18th March 2013 in News By Duncan Leatherdale

A HOME owner is warning others to be aware of a scam after receiving a letter telling him he had won more than £4m.

George Proud, from Tow Law, received a letter purporting to be from an international prize fund, and all he had to do to claim his millions was to send £50 to pay an administration fee.

Mr Proud said: “As soon as I opened it I knew it was a scam, but I can understand how people fall for it especially if they are vulnerable or easily confused.

“What I can’t understand is how they got my name and address.

“I want to make people aware that there is this scam and to urge people to stay well away from it.”

The letter, headed International Prime opportunity, even had a return envelope addressed to Hollywood.

Craig Hudson, fair trading manager, with Durham County Council’s trading standards, said advance fee frauds are common and will require a person to send cash to release a prize fund.

He said replying to the letter could not only lose people money, but also lead to them becoming victims to identity theft, with debts being racked up in their name.

Mr Hudson added: “Many thousands of these letters are sent out and with even a small uptake of people taking a chance on winning, the criminals net large sums of cash, when no actual prize or winners exist."

Suspected fraud can be reported to the UK's national fraud and internet crime reporting centre on 0300 123 20 40 or at actionfraud.police.uk.

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