Congratulations you’ve just won a million dollars in a lottery you never entered...

This is one of the most common scams throughout the US. The approach is made via email, telephone, fax or letter. A good rule of thumb in these situations is to remember if it sounds too good to be true IT IS! Don’t let your excitement get the best of you.

Here’s how it might happen:

• The suspect tells the victim that he just won the lottery. All he needs to collect the winnings is to wire them the money for taxes and the international conversion fees.
• The suspect requests that money be wired to a Western Union or MoneyGram location based out of the country, usually Canada, the United Kingdom or Nigeria.
• The victim never sees any winnings.

What to do if approached in this manner
Do not send the money. If you really win the lottery, the lottery association will arrange to take the money for the taxes directly out of your winnings.

Should you become the victim of a theft by trick, con man or other theft by deception contact your locate police district or the Financial Crimes and Fraud Unit on (202) 727-4159.