Spanish Lottery Scam

Do Not become a Spanish Lottery Scam Victim

The El Gordo is undoubtedly the world’s biggest and richest lottery. Backed by the Spanish Government, it pays as much as €2 billion every Christmas season. It is also hailed for its fabulous odds where winning is concerned. With almost 70% of the emission returned back as prizes, the El Gordo is recognized as one of those few lotteries where you actually do get a chance to win something. And perhaps, this is why it is so irresistible to scam artists.

As popular as El Gordo – Spanish Lottery Scam

Relying on its past records, scam artists are now attempting to rip people off. Masquerading as El Gordo representatives, they approach unsuspecting people via email and then attempt to scam them of some money. This con method is widely known as the Spanish Lottery Scam.

How does the Spanish Lottery Scam Work?

The bulk of Spanish lottery scam letters are tailored around the same idea. The receiver gets a congratulatory message informing them that they have won the El Gordo lottery. Some bogus number is offered as their fictitious lottery ticket number. The message then goes on to announce that due to some clerical error, the disbursement of funds might be delayed. The receiver is asked to keep the details and news of the winnings to themselves, pending the release of funds. The messages are sent with a deadline, the expiration of which will result in the forfeiture of funds.

The aim of the Spanish lottery scam is revealed when payments are about to be supposedly made. The receiver is then informed of fees that have to be paid, before the funds can be released. Insurance charges, anti terrorism fees and administrative costs are just some of the many options that are mentioned. Because of the looming deadline of the funds expiration, most people fall victim to this ploy and make the requested payments. By the time the receiver realizes they’ve been scammed, they would have in all probability, been ripped off quite a sizeable sum.

Tips to Spot A Spanish Lottery scam

· Don’t be greedy. Lotteries might require a bit of luck, but if you did not buy a lottery ticket it is impossible for you to suddenly win a prize.

· The results of the El Gordo lottery are announced on air and over the radio. If you have won something, it will be very easy to confirm.

· There are no fees required for collecting your prize, if you did actually win. The prize money is given, without any processing cost requirements, nor do you have to pay any tax. The lottery winnings are tax free.

· If you receive an email that warns you about an eminent expiration, get very suspicious. This is the first clue that you’ve been approached by a Spanish Lottery scam artist.

· The El Gordo is announced during the Christmas season. If you get a mail in the middle of March announcing that you have won the El Gordo lottery, don’t fall for it for it is surely the Spanish Lottery scam!

· The El Gordo is called a lottery and not sweepstakes. Emails announcing that you have won a prize in some Spanish sweepstake should be treated with suspicion.

· Badly written letters are clear indications of a Spanish lottery scam. Most Scam artists will sign off with names that are not traditionally Spanish. If you get a mail from some ostensibly representative of sweepstake lottery that goes by the name of Arnold Alonso, email him a virus!

Given the popularity of the Spanish lottery, it’s understandable why the Spanish Lottery scam is so popular. The important thing to remember is that you must not fall for these traps. Be mindful of everything that comes your way.

Check out our section on the Spanish sweepstake lottery, which will provide you with some interesting information on what you need to be aware about and not be pulled into a scam.