Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Camarillo P.D.
Date: 02-01-2010

The Camarillo Police Department has received reports of a lottery scam operating in our area. Residents have been receiving letters in the mail informing them they have won a large sum of money in an international lottery program. A check is usually sent along with the letter. The letter indicates the check was sent to assist in paying the taxes or "clearance fees" that must be paid before they can receive the grand prize. The recipient is instructed to deposit the check and then wire the money (usually outside the United States) to cover the taxes or "clearance fees."

Letters such as those described above are SCAMS! People fall victim to this type of scam everyday because they are led to believe they have won a large sum of money. Here's the hitch. No such lottery exists and no winnings are ever sent. The scam works because the check that is sent along with the letter is deposited to the victim's account and then the victim wire transfers the money to a specified location. Once the money is wired and picked up, there is no way to get it back. It isn't until a few days afterward that the deposited check is identified as fraudulent. There are several variations to this type of scam, including notifications made by telephone. The Camarillo Police Departments advises residents:
• if you have doubts about a caller - hang-up
• never send any money in order to receive a prize
• never give out private financial information
• if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

For additional information contact Camarillo's Crime Prevention Officer @ 388-5130.