Isobel targeted in fake online lottery

A PENSIONER was targeted in an online con — with scammers trying to convince her she had won $900,000 on “the Facebook lottery”.

Isobel McLaren was contacted by a person claiming to be from the social media site.

Despite being sceptical, the 65-yearold, who lives with her son Raymond, 33, in Whitfield, Dundee, gave the person her full address, phone number and details of her personal circumstances including her marital status, age and her employment status.

But she stopped short of giving the con artist her bank details and phoned the police, who advised her that it was a scam.

Isobel today said she wants her story told to raise awareness of how online scammers operate.

She said: “I wasn’t even on Facebook until a few months ago. I use it to keep in touch with my relatives in America and Australia. This experience has really served as a warning to me.

“Other people in my position might have fallen for it.

“I thought it might be legitimate because I’m new to Facebook but at the back of my mind I knew it was too good to be true.

“I want to raise awareness because they might target other people for bank details.”

When Isobel confronted the person messaging her, she was sent a barrage of pictures showing people celebrating their wins and also a doctored Facebook ID card.

The scammer even tried to claim that she was “a good Christian” and she couldn’t hurt her “fellow sister i n Christ”.

Communications took a more sinister turn when Isobel was sent a message reading: “You are advised to keep the news of your winnings private and confidential.

“Do not tell any individual or group of people about your winnings.

“It is against the law and policy guiding this promotion.”

Isobel added: “She was so persistent, she kept on messaging me.

“I said to her it sounded to good to be true and she came back with a load of pictures to prove she was who she said she was.

“It was getting to the stage of harassment. She was still messaging me today.”

A police spokesman said: “If you don’t recall entering the specified lottery then it is likely not to be genuine.

“Once again, we cannot emphasise strongly enough that people in our communities should not under any circumstances give out personal or financial details over the telephone, by email or by any other means where the source for the request is not known or cannot be verified.

“Also, we cannot stress strongly enough not to part with any money in relation to administration fees or fees to release a greater amount of money.”

Isobel McLaren, who was targeted by the scam. Above left: The ID card.