Officials warn of international scam

Pennsylvania Lottery officials have issued a warning about a lottery scam originating in Jamaica.

According to an announcement issued this morning, callers who have reported the scam in recent weeks say someone is making phone calls claiming that the person answering is the winner of a fictitious MegaMillions sweepstakes or that they have won a prize from another lottery game with a wellknown name. The criminal encourages the victim to make a payment for taxes or other costs to facilitate the processing of their prize, which is never paid.

“Unfortunately, these types of scams are quite common — especially during times of crisis, such as a pandemic, when people may be vulnerable,” lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko said. “It’s important to know that the Pennsylvania Lottery will only contact players if they won a Second-Chance Drawing, a giveaway into which a player may have submitted an entry, or to collect their winning story. We never call or email people at random.”

Lottery officials said scammers have been known to falsely claim to represent a lottery organization, sometimes posing as real employees whose names can be found via the Internet. Scammers will sometimes offer a “badge number” or other made-up information to try to sound legitimate. They’ll also use the names of real lottery games.

Many scam operators are located offshore, beyond the reach of U.S. law enforcement, according to the lottery announcement. Scammers will often set up fake websites and “spoofed” phone numbers that make it appear as if the call is coming from a real entity or a U.S. area code.

Other warning signs of a scam include:

If you are told to buy a pre-paid debit card to pay a “processing fee” or taxes.

If you are asked for personal financial information, such as bank account routing numbers.

If you’re told the supposed prize is in any currency other than dollars.

If an email contains poor grammar or misspellings, or if a caller states they are — or sounds as if they could be — calling from outside the United States.

If you are instructed to keep the news of your supposed “win” a secret.

If you are told that you can “verify” the prize by calling a certain number. Instead of calling it, look up the lottery or organization on your own to find out its real contact information, then call and ask to speak with security.

The website www. palottery.com of fers player security tips to educate consumers about ways to avoid scams.

The Federal Trade Commission has more information on fake lot ter y and other scams. To file a complaint or get free information cal l toll free, 1-877-382-4357. If you have been the victim of a scam, contact your local police, sheriff’s office or state police.