This week, two people from Ross-on-Wye have contacted the Ross Gazette, hoping to alert other local residents to a scam.

Harry Holwell contacted the Gazette via Facebook on Monday, November 21st. He wrote: “Please take care if you receive a letter from International FIFA World Cup Online Lottery telling you that you have won huge amounts of money. This is a scam. Trading standards in several counties are aware of this matter so take care.”

The following morning, Mrs Doherty visited the Gazette office. She brought in a copy of the letter that she had received from the International FIFA World Cup Online Lottery, claiming she had won £725,000. She explained that she had never entered this draw, so she could not have won the money.

On the letter, it states: “This information must be kept away from the public to avoid unwarranted abuse of the program or fraudulent acts”

Action Fraud, the National Fraud and cyber crime reporting centre, confirm that the International Fifa World Cup Online Lottery is indeed a scam. Recipients are asked to contact a “claims agent” on a landline, mobile or fax number provided in order to begin the process of claiming the money. Mrs Doherty told the Gazette that she has not called this number.

If victims make contact with the fraudsters, they 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 victims to inform their “claims agent” of any changes in your personal information or address as soon as possible. This personal information will likely be used by fraudsters to commit identify fraud.

FIFA have confirmed that any such correspondence has no connection with or authorisation from FIFA and is in no way related to the 2014, 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup™ tournaments, nor any other FIFA events.

Official lotteries in other countries operate in much the same way as the UK’s National Lotto - there are none that Action Fraud are aware of that contact people to tell them of their win.

Always remember, if you haven’t entered a lottery then you can’t have won it.

To report a fraud and receive a police crime reference number, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. For more information, visit their website: www.actionfraud.police.uk.