Usual story - if it sounds too good to be true, it is

The Auckland City Police Financial Crime Unit is advising people of another overseas scam.

In this instance potential victims receive notification via mobile phone or post, advising they have won $175,000 for coming second place in a travel promotion.

The recipient is informed that all he or she has to do to claim the money is confirm the details on the notice and the process begins.

The scammers are currently calling themselves; Dynamo Travelling, Outlook Travelling, West Odyssey, Tech Holidays, Noss Holiday and Group Asia Paradise, but these names change regularly.

There is usually reference to a website that appears to be genuine and which is designed to verify their authenticity.

Police advise that nobody receives any winnings - this is a scam.

If recipients of the original information supply their details to claim the money, excuses are made as to why the winnings can't be released until fees are paid by way of club memberships, opening bank accounts, paying government officials, etc. This list of reasons goes on and they are changed according to the victim response.

"In some cases the scammers offer to 'pay' a portion of the required fees to keep the victims hooked, " Detective Senior Sergeant Aaron Pascoe says."

"The scammers seem friendly, they are experts and they are plausible.

"We estimate victims have lost between $5,000 and $200,000 each. They feel shocked when they discover they've been scammed, but they're not alone as the supposed 'winning tickets' are forwarded to many people."

He said the latest scam is another reminder to people not to send money offshore to claim surprising or unexpected winnings.

ENDS

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