Lottery scams are becoming increasingly commonplace these days and, despite all the cautionary tales available on the web and in the media, con artists continue to sucker in a frightening amount of victims. More often than not the scammers tell their victims a big lottery win is on the way, and then ask for a processing fee to release the funds or to cover up-front taxes, but police in Williamstown, Ohio, are concerned about a new scam that breaks from the norm.
According to the police report the latest scam is operated via the US mail. Victims receive a mailing from the Lincoln Financial Group informing them they have matched five numbers in the Multi-State Lottery and won $250,000. A disturbingly realistic-looking check for $3,900 is included in the mailing. This is supposedly to cover taxes of $2,600, plus insurance and handling costs of $1,300.
The enclosed letter states Lincoln Financial Group has been hired by the Multi-State Lottery Associate and entrusted with the task of notifying winners of the "USA Lottery Sweepstakes Millions" contest.
The letter also tells the recipient to expect a visit from a lottery representative, who will bring the winning check right to their door, but the claim cannot be completed until the Lincoln Financial Group receives a signature and written confirmation of the winner's mailing address.
The letter mentioned in the Williamstown police report was mailed in a Walmart envelope bearing a Canadian stamp. Anyone who receives such a mailing should contact their local police department immediately.
