Another lottery scam has hit the internet in New Zealand with winners told they have won more than $1 million.
The catch however, is that a winner must pay more than $1000 for "the insurance of your legalisation certificate" before the winnings were put into their account.
The
scam sent winning notices to internet addresses in New Zealand telling recipients they had won 550,000 euros ($1.06 million) in the Once Loteria Espanol 2007 promotions.
Winners were told they had to pay 650 euros ($1247) for their "legalisation winning certificate" and the money would be put into their accounts.
The message gave a telephone number and Fredridk Walter's name in Spain.
Walter apparently answered the telephone when called today but when asked why the 650 euros could not be taken out of the winnings, said the money had to be paid by non-citizens of Spain before the prize could be paid.
When told it sounded like a scam he said "You are not getting it right sir," and transferred the call to his superior.
His superior said the winnings were covered by a high insurance policy which "does not allow anybody to deduct anything.
"You have to pay that so they can legalise your documents."
He also denied it was a scam and said once the 650 euros was paid the prize would be paid.
Police have constantly warned people to keep well clear of such schemes and said there was little they could do about scams based in other countries.
Television New Zealand's Fair Go programme reported that up to 10,000 New Zealanders a year are victims of overseas lottery scams.
- NZPA
