Online fraudsters are still exploiting Olympics fever with the latest in a rash of Games-associated scams. The email scam, which tells people they have won hundreds of thousands of pounds in the Lottery, is being investigated by Police.
The email – which is badly designed, features the Games rings symbol and is entitled “London Olympics 2012 Internet Lottery Anniversary” – tells recipients that they have been selected to win £550,000 in a commemorative draw which does not require a ticket purchase, but instead requires their personal bank details to be sent to a "Rev. Craig John".
It claims to originate from the “United Kingdom National Lottery” in conjunction with the “organizing committee” of the Games, but is actually a fraud run from Africa. It says: “This program is being sponsored by United Kingdom National Lottery in conjunction with the Organizing Committee of the London Olympics 2012, for a successful 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which was hosted by England.”
Even calling the contact number costs up to £1 a minute, since it appears to be a British mobile number but is in fact a premium rate number that re-routes the call.
A spokesman for Locog, said: “We are investigating this as a matter of urgency. People should not send any personal details”. He added that the Met Police’s Olympic Crime Unit, Operation Podium, would be called in.
Locog has a specific web page detailing known scams associated with the Games.
