Police Warn Of Contest Scam

September 1, 2011

Law enforcement is issuing a warning after a scam surfaced in the area offering to pay large sums of money and “change your life forever”.

The “final notice” informs recipients they are one of the “lucky winners in the second category of the UK & North American Consumer Promotional and a Compensation Draw organized for all customers of Wal-Mart, Sears, Home Depot, Walgreen, Target, Macys Etc. held on June 21,” according to the Pensacola Police Department.

The notice advises people not to act on the final notice until they speak with their claim agent for further instructions on how to claim their winnings within seven business days.

People are then promised a lump sum of $71,000 after they pay almost $3,000 to receive the money. A check for $3,987 is attached to the flyer with instructions for the recipient to deposit it and use it to pay the “non-resident govt. service tax and insurance.”

However, by the time they pay the money and realize they have been duped, they have lost their money investment and have no way of getting it back, police said.

Anyone with questions about this or any other scam is asked to contact their local law enforcement.

Comments

6 Responses to “Police Warn Of Contest Scam”

  1. angi on September 1st, 2011 7:54 pm

    I had a friend that did this, they are out over 1500.00 dollars. People remember, someone is always trying to get something for nothing.

  2. Just Me on September 1st, 2011 10:48 am

    429SCJ-You are hilarous! I’m going to “borrow” your method the next time I get “opne of those” emails!! LOVE IT!!

  3. Michelle on September 1st, 2011 8:30 am

    How can people be so foolish? (Greed) How do you think you won if you never entered a compation in the first place?

    Come on really, you don’t get anything for nothing!! There is no such thing as easy money

  4. 429SCJ on September 1st, 2011 7:48 am

    Hello Jane. When they call I say, senoir SCJ is down in the bar, one minute please. I then turn the television to the Mexican music channel and lay the phone on the tv stand and go about my business.

  5. Jane on September 1st, 2011 7:07 am

    They have already tried calling here. I hung up. I suggest that people do the same if they receive a phone call. If it sounds to good to be true, then it probably isn’t true!

  6. 429SCJ on September 1st, 2011 3:29 am

    I recieved an e-mail yesterday, from a U.S. Army captain in Iraq, needing my help to get $7,000,000.00 to the U,S. bla bla bla. I told him I was stranded in Mombassa Kenya, that my Gulfstream IV was at the airport maintenance facility requiring an engine exchange, for the starboard turbofan. I informed the captain if he would wire $450,000.00 to my account at the Chemical Bank of NYC ACCT# bla bla bla, I would fly to Bagdad, p/u the cash and fly it to the U.S. The captain has yet to respond. I guess those Nigerian scam artist have no sense of adventure.