Upper Ottawa Valley OPP warning residents of lottery and prize scams in the area
Posted Jan 24, 2022 04:06:00 PM.
The Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is warning residents of a lottery and prize scam that has recently surfaced in the area.
Targets of the scam have been contacted by phone and are told they have won money and prizes in a contest.
The OPP says, ''The scammers have also stated they have partnered with local elected officials to distribute the winnings. With such scams, the intended victim is often asked to pay fees to cover such things as taxes, legal fees, and delivery costs in order to collect the winnings.''
The OPP would like to remind the public that no genuine lottery would require you to pay a fee or tax to collect your winnings. Also, many lotteries and prize scams would try to trick victims into providing them with banking and personal details to claim a prize.
Anyone who has been contacted by a fraudster or believes they have been a victim of a scam is asked to contact their local police service or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. They can also visit their website at www.antifraudcentre.ca.
