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Scam: Loteria Primitiva

Incredible prize – too good to be true

The Austrian Broadcasting Cooperation reported about an Austrian consumer, who paid the amount of 229.731 Euro to a Europeanwide lottery scam in order to receive his asserted win.
 

First of all 40.000 Euro for handling charges

In January 2008 the 61-year-old consumer received the notice that he has won 600.000 Euro at the Spanish lottery “Loteria Primitiva – International Lotto Commission Madrid” by ordinary mail.The consumer answered via the attached application form to the Lotto Commission and received the confirmation that he has to pay overall 40.000 Euro for charges, taxes, transactions fees, etc. Regrettably, the consumer paid this amount.

A fake notary also charged the consumer

In March 2009 the consumer stopped the financial transactions to the pretended Lotto Commission because he did not receive any money. Immediately a fake notary contacted the consumer informing him that due to clever financial assessments his prize increased to an amount of 1.400.000 Euro.

Bluffed by faked certificates, faked bank-authorisations and other faked guarantees the consumer paid another 94.000 Euro and 67.000 Euro in order to receive the promised prize. 

Winning notifications all over Europe

Overall, the Austrian consumer paid about 229.731.Euro to the organisers of this lottery scam. Originally this money should have been his retirement provisions.

Meanwhile the consumer contacted the police and filled a claim against this gang.

 “Companies" that send these letters

  • EL GORDO SPANISH SWEEPSTAKE COMPANY S.L.
  • EL GORDO NETHERLANDS SWEEPSTAKES LOTTERY
  • EL GORDO MARKETING CO
  • FOREIGN SERVICE MANAGER, GLOBAL CROSSING, AMSTERDAM
  • OCASO GRUPO SEGURIDAD S.A.
  • GLOBAL CROSSINGS
  • DIAMOND SECURITY COMPANY S.L 

 

Tips from the European Consumer Centre Austria

  • If you have not participated in any draw and do not have any ticket of this lottery, you are definitely not the winner!
  • Never pay any money in order to receive a huge prize!
  • If it sounds too good to be true – then it probably is!

 

 

Vienna, 17.06.2009