Police warn of lottery scams victimizing residents

Saturday, May 27, 2006 posted 03:57 AM EDT

BARSTOW -- According to a Barstow police infor mation release, local residents have been victimized by a fake lottery mail scam.

Victims reported to police that they received notification via U.S. Postal Service mail of winnings ranging from $50,000 to $400,000.

The notification letters included checks ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 that are supposed to be used for taxes, clearance fees, etc., according to police.

Barstow police are advising anyone receiving these letters to contact them immediately because they are part of a mail fraud scheme designed to obtain personal information such as bank account numbers, social security numbers and other personal information that can be used by identity thieves.

Barstow Police Sgt. Mark Franey advises anyone receiving these letters to be very careful because legitimate lotteries and sweepstakes do not request this type of information.

He also said, the bogus sweepstakes and lottery winning letters received by Barstow residents include names such as Euro International Lotto, Picerne Development, Husky Global Awards and Husky Global Inc.

Franey said anyone that is a victim of these scams should contact the Barstow police at 255-5182 or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at www.usps.com/postalinspectors.

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