Police warning over travel scratchy scam
Scammers pretending to be an overseas travel company are trying to trick people into sending money overseas in a recent scam, police said.
They said the scam involves victims receiving a glossy travel brochure accompanied by scratchy tickets, which state the recipient has won a large sum of money when scratched.
The tickets then request the ‘winner’ phone an overseas number, but the caller is then asked to make a payment via money transfer to cover legal fees and enable the money to be released.
Police said the process is then repeated several times, offering various reasons for sending money.
Officers have warned the travel brochures look real and there is usually a professional-looking website associated, giving the company the illusion of credibility.
They have warned consumers to be wary of these and similar scams where supposed ‘winners’ are required to send money or provide personal bank details to release prizes.
