Fraudulent promotion scheme

South Simcoe Police are investigating a Fraudulent Promotion Scheme reported by a Cookstown area resident. The resident reported that he had received a letter apparently from a promotions company located in Madrid, Spain advising that he had won a European Lottery winning almost 1 million euro's (approximately $1.5 million Canadian Dollars). In order to collect his winnings the winner was to fill out a "Payment Processing Form" with all his personal information including name, address, occupation, birth date, bank name, account, transit numbers, next of kin and photocopy of passport or drivers licence. Once returned the money would be deposited to their account.

The Public are cautioned that this is a fraudulent scheme where if they returned the form with the requested information instead of having money put in they would instead have their money electronically removed from their account. Persons should never provide personal information in response to a solicitation from an unknown or unconfirmed source, when requested by mail, telephone, or email.

If anyone receives what they believe to be a questionable or fraudulent letter, email or telephone solicitation they can call PhoneBusters Toll Free at 1- 888-495-8501 or check their website at www.phone busters.com .

PhoneBusters in a joint investigative agency operated by the RCMP, OPP and the Competition Bureau of Canada to investigate these fraudulent schemes.