Elderly are falling victim to lottery fraudsters
by Abby Alford,
South Wales Echo
FOREIGN lottery fraudsters are targeting increasing numbers of elderly people in South Wales, an Assembly Member has warned.
Janice Gregory said reports of con artists contacting her constituents are on the rise with one pensioner handing over cash to scammers who told her she had won a prize.
Her fears have been confirmed by Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged in Wales, which said so-called easy targets are being put on “suckers’ lists”, which are then passed on to other con artists.
All of the fraudsters, many of whom claim to be representing the Spanish or other foreign lottery write to, e-mail or telephone victims telling them they have won a prize. But they tell them the prize can only be claimed if the victim sends them money.
“This is an increasing problem,” said Mrs Gregory, AM for Ogmore.
Age Concern Cymru estimates that approximately 160,000 people in Wales of all ages become victims of some sort of scam every year, parting with more than £175m.
According to figures released by the Office of Fair Trading, the over 55s in Wales lose on average of £1,261 per scam. Age Concern has responded to the growing problem by putting together a toolkit which is made up of a specially-designed door hanger to remind pensioners about common scamming methods and a leaflet with 10 tips to avoid being scammed.
Ms Hughes said: “We wanted to produce these hangers and the flyer so that people can be empowered to realise that these prizes, promises of good fortune and guaranteed lottery wins are not real.”
Age Concern can be contacted on 029 2043 1555.
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