Justice Department warning about Lottery Scam

The U.S. Department of Justice is warning citizens about a lottery scam circulating across the country.  Fraudulent telemarketers based in Jamaica and other countries are calling people in the U.S., telling them that they have won a sweepstake or foreign lottery.  The fraudulent telemarketers typically identify themselves as lawyers, customs officials, or lottery representatives, and tell people they have won vacations, cars, or thousands, even millions of dollars.  “Winners” need only to pay fees for shipping, insurance, customs duties, or taxes before they can claim their prizes.  Victims pay hundreds or thousands of dollars and receive nothing in return, and often are revictimized until they have no money left.  Lottery scams operating from abroad often use U.S.-based money mules to receive victim payments and transmit proceeds to perpetrators.  Never send money or give personnel identification to someone, who calls you over the phone.  Instead, ask for a phone number, so you can call them back and verify their information.