A man from Ross-on-Wye recently received a letter, telling him he had won £900,000 from the International Fifa World Cup Online Lottery. However the man, Mr Davies, did not enter any Fifa World Cup Online Lottery, or play with the numbers detailed. As a result of this, he believes it is a scam, and that other residents should be aware that if they receive a letter such as the one pictured, they should ignore it.

He brought the letter into the Ross Gazette office, hoping to raise awareness about the scam. He pointed out that a partcicularly suspicious part of the letter tells the reader:?“...this information must be kept away from the public to avoid unwarranted abuse of the program or fraudulent acts from criminal minded and unauthorised persons.”

Action Fraud confirm the ‘International Fifa World Cup Online Lottery’ is indeed a scam. On their website, Action Fraud state: “If you make contact with the fraudsters you will be asked to part with money as an upfront payment, or forward money to enable them to enter the tender process for a prize that does not exist.

“The letter also asks you to inform your “claims agent” of any changes in your personal information or address as soon as possible. Your personal information is commonly used by fraudsters to commit identify fraud.”

Mr Davies’ letter is not the first report the Ross Gazette has received where a local resident has recieved a letter from a previously-unheard of lottery. At the beginning of the month, we reported that Barbara Nash, of Bridstow, received a letter claiming that she had won £725,000 on the Euromillions Fifa World Cup Super Lottery.

Immediately suspicious due to the fact that she doesn’t play a Euromillions Fifa Lottery, Barbara took to the internet and soon realised that this was a scam. In fact, she soon discovered that the Euromillions Fifa World Cup Super Lottery does not exist.

Action Fraud advise:?“Always remember if you haven’t entered a lottery, then you can’t have won it.”

If you receive a letter, similar to the ones described, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit: http://www.actionfraud.police.uk