A LOTTERY player was the victim of a scam that robbed thousands of people.
The woman was promised $5.5 million that she never received.
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An Iowa woman was targeted by lottery scammers who claimed she had won $5.5 million, KTVO – an ABC and CBS affiliate – reported.
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office said the victim received a call from an unknown woman who informed her of her alleged prize, which also included a new 2023 Mercedes-Benz and lifetime payments of $5,000 per week.
However, the scammer contacted the woman eight times, tricked her into a trust and claimed she needed to pay $2,000 before she could receive her winnings.
When she was told to send more payments after paying the $2,000, she contacted local police.
IOWANOS WARNED
Using the woman as an example, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird sent a warning to Iowans about lottery scams on July 31, 2024.
“Scammers are professional manipulators and thieves,” said Attorney General Bird.
“They prey on the hopes and dreams of Iowans before stealing from them.
“And they steal not just money, but trust, joy, confidence and livelihoods.
“I urge Iowans to be vigilant and remember that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. And if you have to pay for your premium, it’s a scam.”
The US Sun has reached out to the Iowa Attorney General for comment.
COUP PLANS
In 2023, victims across the U.S. lost nearly $340 million to lottery scams, according to KTVO.
Through these scams, perpetrators trick victims into believing they have won a prize and convince them to pay a fee before they can receive their supposed winnings.
Scammers use various tactics to deceive their victims.
These criminals call, text, email or mail to say they have won the lottery, a sweepstakes or a prize, according to the news outlet.
They also ask for personal/financial details via emails or text messages for victims to claim lottery winnings or prizes.
Scammers also pretend to be lottery employees or act as if they belong to well-known companies that conduct sweepstakes to sell fake tickets or entries, demand money or access victims’ personal/financial information, according to KTVO.
Bank tips to avoid scams
As scams become more sophisticated with the use of artificial intelligence, it is important that you know how to identify them:
- Be skeptical of online businesses that seem too good to be true, especially on social media.
- Scammers often use tactics to make you panic so that you make quick decisions – be cautious if you are asked to take immediate action and check who has contacted you.
- Chase Bank warns customers to “never return any unexpected funds without calling Chase first.”
- Never send money to someone you’ve only spoken to online or on the phone, as this is likely a romantic scam.
- Unless you know 100% who you are talking to, never give someone remote access to your device.
- Never accept help from strangers at ATMs and always be careful when making withdrawals.
- Do not send money or click on links that indicate you have won a prize.
Source: Chase.com
FRAUD SECURITY
If supposed winners are asked to pay for the prize, they are being scammed, according to KTVO.
Those who suspect telephone fraud should hang up and not answer any unsolicited calls or messages.
No one should ever provide personal or financial information over the phone or email to an unknown person about alleged lottery winnings or prizes.
Still, many Americans have fallen victim to these cruel crimes.
A Tennessee man fell victim to a lottery scam after the cashier stole his $1 million grand prize.
Residents of East Haven, Connecticut, were warned about a snail-mail lottery scam after one was informed of alleged $500,000 winnings.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
