Lottery Winnings/Mail Fraud

U.S. Postal Inspectors investigate any crime in which the U.S. mail is used to further a scheme; whether it originated in the mail, by telephone, or on the Internet. The use of the U.S. mail is what constitutes it as "mail fraud". This type of crime can have many different looks, from employment fraud (work at home schemes) to financial fraud (charities, credit cards, etc.) to sweepstakes and lotteries.

While specific details about all types of mail fraud can be found at: U.S. Postal Inspection Service Web Site, this section will touch on lotteries/sweepstakes and secret shopper fraud.

According to the U.S. Postal Service, a federal statue prohibits lottery mailings, yet they continue to arrive everyday. In many instances, you will receive a letter or certificate "congratulating" you on having won the (Canadian, Spanish, etc.) Lottery or Sweepstakes. In addition to providing details on how to obtain your "millions", you may also receive a check, payable in U.S. dollars, as a "down payment" toward your future gains.

Lotteries and Sweepstakes

The letter will instruct you to call a toll free number (usually located outside of the U.S.) where you will be given instructions on how to obtain your winnings. The person answering the phone will be happy to confirm for you that the winnings are legitimate. Remember, it is their job to convince you. If you have received a check, you will be instructed to cash the check against your bank account or deposit the funds, keep some money for yourself, and wire (generally via Western Union or Money Gram) the remaining funds back to the sender. This of course is to cover any taxes or pay any fees on the money you have "won".

Once the money is wired out, you will not be able to get it back nor will you see any additional return of the "millions" promised. The check you cashed or deposited will soon be returned as it is invalid (counterfeit). This money will then be taken back out of your account, possibly leaving you overdrawn or without funds to pay your basic living expenses.

Secret Shopper Scams

Employment fraud can manifest itself in many ways. One common scheme is the "secret shopper" program. Fraudsters will contact unsuspecting victims generally via e-mail about a job opportunity offering great money for shopping at stores visited regularly.

As the "secret shopper" you will be sent a check via the U.S. mail (or UPS), along with an instruction letter/e-mail and at times, an evaluation sheet. Like the lottery/sweepstakes scenarios you are instructed to cash this check against your bank account or deposit the funds. Your "job" will be to visit either a Western Union or Money Gram facility and send a portion of the money you received back to the company who hired you. According to the company who hired you, this wire transfer will allow you to "evaluate" the clerk who waited on you. For your efforts in completing the evaluation, you will keep a portion of the funds for yourself.

Like the lottery/sweepstakes scam, the check you cashed or deposited will soon be returned as it is invalid in some manner. This money will then be taken back out of your account, again, possibly leaving you overdrawn or without funds to pay your basic living expenses.

To protect yourself from becoming a victim of these and other types of mail fraud:

  • Do not cash or deposit any check provided to you in connection with any sweepstakes/lottery or secret shopper mailing.
  • Do not send any money in connection with any sweepstakes/lottery request or for a secret shopper evaluation.
  • Consider having your name removed from national contact lists. Information is available through the USPS at: U.S. Postal Inspection Service Web Site.

If, by chance, you have fallen victim to this type of scam, here are some tips to help you:

  • File a complaint with your local law enforcement office. Keep a copy of this report for your records. Ask them if you should also contact the U.S. Postal Inspectors Office. If so:
  • File a complaint with the U.S. Postal Inspectors Office either through your local post office, or online at: https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx
  • Keep a copy of this report for your records.
  • Contact your financial institution immediately to alert them to the situation. Though the financial obligations are your responsibility, many institutions are willing to assist you.