Keep your eye on the ball and don't be caught by FIFA World Cup Lottery fraud

The PSNI are warning members of the public to be wary of correspondence they receive regarding the International Fifa World Cup Online Lottery.

Detective Constable Crooks of the PSNI Economic Crime Unit is warning the public to be aware that this lottery scam is doing the rounds and police are aware that people here are being targeted.

The letter advises the recipient that they have won £900,000 and provides contact details in order to process their supposed winnings.

Detective Constable Crooks said: These scams have been doing the rounds for many years, under the headings of Fifa World Cup, Euro Millions, Spanish (El Gordo) and many others.

“We would advise that you should not be tempted to reply to any form of correspondence that you think might be a scam and report it to Action Fraud here http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or telephone 0300 123 20 40."

Further advice on fraud prevention and reporting fraud can be found on the PSNI website here https://www.psni.police.uk/crime/fraud/.

As part of Scam Awareness Mont last month, the PSNI joined forces with the Consumer Council and Trading Standards Service to launch an information leaflet entitled ‘Know the sign, stop the crime.’

To download a copy of the ‘Know the signs, stop the crime’ scams leaflet visit www.consumercouncil.org.uk or call freephone 0800 121 6022 for a free copy.

Here are some links for advice from Action Fraud:

http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/fifa-world-cup-online-lottery-scam-jan14 http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/fifa-world-cup-scams-mar14 http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/euromillions-fifa-world-cup-online-lottery-is-a-scam-oct10 http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/scam-email-purporting-to-be-euromillions-winner-apr14

For general advice on how to stay safe online, visit www.GetSafeOnline.org