OPP warning about new lotto scam, one victim sees ‘substantial loss’

A new lottery scam is targeting people across a variety of communication platforms, from the phone to social media.

Fraudsters are asking victims for money after telling them that they’ve won the lottery.

“‘To claim the lottery winnings you have to do something for us’ and that usually involves sending money,” Aaron Miller, acting sergeant and media coordinator for the East Region Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) told The Sam Laprade Show on Monday Sept. 11.

Miller added that the risk is greater in this case, because in some instances, the suspect has visited the victim’s home address.

“We see a lot of elderly people being targeted—and then of course when you look at what AI is able to do for the fraudsters it just steps up their game to a whole new level,” said Miller.

The warning follows an incident on Aug. 21, where one victim of the scam saw “a substantial loss” after being told they won the lottery and were then asked to provide money to get the winnings.

In a press release, OPP warned that “the suspect is believed to have attended the victim’s house to help with the financial transactions” and that they asked for “assistance from local taxi companies.”

Miller said vulnerable people, like older adults, are often the victims of these types of scams.

“Talk to your friends, talk to the older individuals in your family, just about what is going on,” said Miller. “The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre suspects that only about five to ten per cent of fraud is actually reported to them.”

Police believe there could be more victims and are encouraging those who have encountered such scams to report it at 1-888-310-1122.