HPD: Lottery Scams Resurface

Lottery scams have resurfaced on the Big Island, according to the Hawai’i Police Department.

HPD says that a Hilo resident received a letter from the “International Lotto Commission,” which supposedly originated in Madrid, Spain.

The letter claimed that the recipient had won more than $4.5 million in a lottery held by “The World Lottery.”

Police say the letter and variations of it requested that the winner either send a processing fee to a “security company” in Spain or contact the lottery agent and provide financial account information so the funds can be deposited.

“While people are becoming more aware of these scams and are more vigilant in prevention from becoming a victim, there are those unsuspecting individuals who still fall prey to these scams,” said Lieutenant Gregory Esteban from the Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigations Section. “If anyone receives an unsolicited letter or email that promises them a financial award in exchange for disclosing personal financial information, do not send any money or respond.”

Lieutenant Esteban says that intended victims should instead call the Police Department non-emergency line at 935-3311.