The South African Police Service (SAPS) has warned that more people are being targeted by a 2010 lottery e-mail scam.
Director Phuti Setati, section head of media relations at the SAPS Communication and Liaison Services, says there is concern about the number of complaints received from potential victims of the so-called "SA 2010 World Cup Bid Lottery".
"Scam letters and e-mails, originating from within and outside the borders of SA were received, promising large cash pay-outs. Of late, perpetrators are purporting to be from the Local Organising Committee for 2010 (LOC for 2010), when luring and or enticing their potential victims," Setati says in a statement.
He explains the potential victim is notified via e-mail that he or she has won the lottery, and will then be issued with some sort of a certificate confirming the prize. The person is then requested to complete a number of forms online - in the process unknowingly disclosing his or her personal and confidential details.
"Thereafter, the victim will be informed of a procedure to claim the cash. Foremost, as part of the procedure, an upfront payment or fee will be requested, before the rest of the cash is released," Setati says.
People intending to participate in any lottery in SA must keep in mind that the National Lottery Board is the only statutory body charged with regulating the operation of the national lottery in this country, he notes.
Only one licence will be issued at any one time authorising a person to conduct the National Lottery, Setati says, adding that this licence has been issued to Uthingo Management. "In other words, only Uthingo is permitted to run lottery promotions in SA."
He says: "We strongly warn the South African public and the international community about this and similar scams. Any person receiving any form of correspondence urging them to participate in a game of some sort, promising a windfall, should please contact the following numbers during office hours: (012) 401-3345 or (012) 393-1203."
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