Residents in Angus, Scotland, are being advised to be on the alert for scam letters informing them they have won large prizes in an international lottery.
The trading standards service says the mailings claim the recipient has been 'specially selected' to receive a prize or that their name has been 'attached' to winning ticket with a value of £900,000 or more.
The letter then urges recipients to complete a claim form and post it at once, or contact their 'claims agent' by telephone or fax so the lottery can begin the claims process.
Once contact has been initiated the fraudsters ask for an upfront payment, to secure the release of the bogus prize, and for further personal details that could then be used to commit identity theft.
The trading standards service warns against responding to any such letters and points out genuine lotteries never require fees from their winners.
