City of London Police have warned about scam emails purporting to be from Neil Trotter, the winner of £107.9m on the Euromillions lottery.
Digital crooks have used such tactics in the past, trying to convince people lottery winners have chosen to give the email recipient they are to receive some of the prize money, according to Action Fraud, run by the City of London Police and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau.
The email offers “One Million Great Britain Pounds” from Trotter’s prize fund in an apparent show of generosity. Trotter won the significant prize money in March.
“As part of my effort to alleviate poverty and care for the less privileged around the world, I have decided to donate to just 15 people around the globe which you are a part of,” the email read.
But the message is designed to pilfer financial data and steal identities of users, the body said. “Do not respond to this email with your personal information which could be used to commit identity fraud,” Action Fraud said, in a notice on its website.
“Also as the scam develops the scammers will most likely ask you to pay a ‘fee’ to complete the transfer of the fictitious money. If you receive one of these emails please delete it and report it to us.”
The threat was initially identified by Hoax Slayer, an independent organisation that uncovers the latest email-based scams.
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