FAKE LOTTERY FRAMES COCA-COLA

Fair Trading Minister Margaret Keech has warned Queenslanders of two fake lotteries doing the rounds, one claiming to be from the ‘Coca Cola Company’ and the other from a Spanish lottery commission.

Coca-Cola South Pacific Pty Ltd has denied any association with the dodgy lottery using their name.

“The Coca Cola email scam says you are among 20 lucky winners to have won a lump sum of one million pounds,” Mrs Keech said.

“However, in order to claim your prize, you are required to fill out a ‘claims verification form’ which asks for personal details such as your name, address and telephone number.

“The Spanish lottery scam arrives as a personally addressed letter claiming you have won several thousand pounds, however, you must first provide personal information including bank account details.

“The scammers say that, due to some mix up you must keep your win a secret until your claim has been processed. This is probably an attempt to keep you from telling friends and family who may recognise this as a scam.”

The Office of Fair Trading has received 215 complaints about fake lotteries and prizes this year.

“Many fake lottery scams request an ‘administration fee’ for the winnings to be delivered. However, once you have paid, the prize never turns up,” Mrs Keech said.

“Fake lottery scams which request personal details can also open you up to identity fraud.”

Mrs Keech warned consumers to be on guard as fake lotteries arrive in different forms and names and can look very official.

“Be particularly wary of offers from other countries, because once you send your money outside the country, Australian laws can no longer protect you,” she said.

“You should always be wary of a lottery or prize offer that:

·guarantees you a prize;

·requires you to purchase a ticket or pay an ‘administration fee’ before you can collect your prize;

·has no fixed address and requires money to be sent to a post box number;

·comes from another country; or

·requires quick action to avoid disappointment.”

If you have been a victim of a scam, help protect others by reporting it to the Office of Fair Trading on 13 13 04. Keep up-to-date with the latest scams at www.fairtrading.com.au.

Inquiries: David Smith 3225 1005 / 0409 496 534 or Olivia Nemeth (OFT) 3119 0067