Attorney General's News Release

June 11, 2003

Spanish sweepstakes scam sets consumers up for fraud, warns Nixon

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today warned Missourians of a sweepstakes scam notifying consumers they have won thousands of dollars in the Spanish lottery "El Gordo." Nixon said the scam is not connected with the authentic Spanish lottery but rather is a scheme designed to solicit personal information and advance fees from unsuspecting consumers.

Consumers receive a congratulatory letter either by fax, direct mail or e-mail from someone claiming to be with the Spanish sweepstakes, notifying them that their numbers were drawn in an international lottery and that several hundred thousand dollars in prize money is waiting in their name. To receive the prize money, consumers are instructed to fill out a form which requires listing personal information such as bank account numbers. In some cases, consumers are told they must first send money to cover "processing fees" to claim their money.

According to the Better Business Bureau, the scam has been popping up around the United States in recent months, often targeting specific communities at once. Nixon said the Columbia Police Department alerted his office after a local resident received a letter in the mail from Madrid telling her she had won $815,810. The consumer knew the offer sounded too good to be true and immediately notified authorities.

Nixon advised consumers to never give personal information to any foreign source without first knowing the legitimacy of the source. Additionally, any company that asks you to transfer funds from one source to another should be a red flag the offer is not legitimate.

Columbia residents who received an offer related to this scam should contact Sgt. Stephen Monticelli at the Columbia Police Department at 573-874-7423. Consumers should also notify the Missouri Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818