Mail Lottery Scams Continue to Victimize Idahoans

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX)- Idahoans keep getting scammed by foreign lottery mailers according to postal officials. The United States Attorney’s Office says victims of these scams have handed over upwards of $70,000 to foreign lottery scammers. Many of those targeted in the state are from the Pocatello, Montpelier and Preston areas.

The U.S. Attorney’s office says United State Postal Inspection Service agents, who investigate crimes that have used the postal service, spoke with victims on their latest visit to Idaho.

Foreign lottery scams are illegal under federal law. Most scams of these types offer by mail to enter sweepstakes, claiming you could win prizes such as cars, computers, or vacations and money.

But, before you can claim the prize scammers ask the victim to pay for taxes, processing, legal or custom fees. Payments are usually asked to be sent to another US address or foreign country.

The US Attorney’s Office offered some tips on how to recognize a lottery scam and how you can protect you and your loved ones from being a victim:

How Can You Recognize an Illegal Foreign Lottery?

Scammers mail letters to confirm victims’ winnings. Victims may be solicited

via the mail.

Victims are solicited by phone through heavy-handed marketing tactics and

incessant calls.

Victims are asked to pay fees, duties or taxes before they can collect their

winnings.

Once a victim responds to a solicitation, the scammer continues to contact

them, asking for additional payments and promising even greater winnings.

Scammers from other countries, such as Jamaica, Nigeria, Holland, Canada

and the Philippines, target US victims.

Scammers from overseas use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) devices

allowing them to disguise their international number and make it appear as if it

were a domestic call coming from a US area code.

Victims are typically asked to mail cash or wire money via Western Union or

MoneyGram overseas.

Recipients of cash payments are either co-conspirators, foreign nationals

residing in the US or other victims who have become unknowing participants.

Melpomenem/ThinkStock

Improve Your Odds

Older Americans are often targeted by scammers. Speak with your older loved ones about the consequences of foreign lottery scams. A few protective- measures taken with their consent, and a simple conversation about avoiding scams could be the key to preserving their financial well-being.