Police in South Yorkshire are warning about the potential dangers of postal and telephone competitions and draws, following on from national publicity about the Canadian Lottery.

Inspector Tim Ireland, Force crime reduction officer said: “We’d urge everyone, but particularly the elderly, to exercise great caution in responding to mailings or cold telephone calling. If an offer or prize seems too good to be true, then it probably is, and if you haven’t entered a competition or draw, then it’s very unlikely that you will have won a cash prize.”

The office of Fair Trading has published figures today which suggest consumers across the UK have been duped out of as much as £3m in the first part of 2003 alone.

They also say that four out of every five of the victims are over 65.

Officers in South Yorkshire have confirmed that they are investigating at least one case locally, where a 73-year-old Sheffield woman is believed to have lost a large amount of money after dealings with a Canadian company. The lady does not want to speak with the media or be identified. Enquiries and liaison with the Office of Fair Trading are continuing.

I've got no sympathy for someone dumb enough to send them money in the first place.

Originally posted by fnkysknky
I've got no sympathy for someone dumb enough to send them money in the first place.

Priceless fnkysknky...how long did it take you to come up with that constructive and in depth comment??? You ever thought of doin a Radio call in show??? Some no-mark 2 in the morning slot would suit your opinions me thinks

So I'm supposed to feel sorry for someone who sent money half way across the World just because they got a letter from someone they don't know asking them to? Serves them right for being greedy enough to think that you can get a hell of a lot for relatively little.

Originally posted by fnkysknky
So I'm supposed to feel sorry for someone who sent money half way across the World just because they got a letter from someone they don't know asking them to? Serves them right for being greedy enough to think that you can get a hell of a lot for relatively little.
It's not being greedy mate it's finally thinking your luck is in.
And duping the older generation (who are trusting and may not know any better) is sick IMHO.

I do feel sorry for them being duped in this way and i just hope it doesn't happen to you or your family.

Its unfortunate that old people are naive and still live in the times where you could leave your back door open etc etc....They are also very trusting which is a rarety in this day and age...doesn't make them 'dumb' as you class it. Somehow I think there's more to it than a case of letter pops thru the letterbox - old person picks it up and sends life savings. These scams are run extremely well by professional scam artists...I reckon I have my head screwed on but you can't help wonder when you get summat in post or on phone saying you won sum dosh...a little bird in your head says "i wonder??" Now I've been to university, get some questions right on 15 to 1..even get the Countdown conundrum now and again so I regard myself as competently intelligent...it can happen to any of us if we're not in the right frame of mind or aware of possible scams about. Like DaBouncer says I hope it doesn't happen to you or anyone you know and care about cause it can destroy lives

Originally posted by fnkysknky
So I'm supposed to feel sorry for someone who sent money half way across the World just because they got a letter from someone they don't know asking them to? Serves them right for being greedy enough to think that you can get a hell of a lot for relatively little.

Oh and another thing...aren't we all a little guilty at some stage of trying to get a lot for as little as possible???....mmm

There's a brilliant website dedicated to scams like this

Quatloos (http://quatloos.com)

Some of it focuses on how the public wind up the scam artists!

If you get a spare ten mins, read the Brad Christiansen exhibit at the foot of the page. I have never EVER laughed so much....it's aimed at the emails from Nigeria where you are asked to put money in your bank account to look after for safe keeping.

Just a thought but I've always found the old adage of "not judging someone unless you've walked a mile in their shoes" to be a damned good one.

Nuff said.. we're all dumb at different times in our lives so it'd be nice if some people could quit chucking stones, their greenhouse might be next... :rolleyes:

It's common sense that you don't give large amounts of your money to strangers. I do lots of stupid things but that's not one of them.

Originally posted by fnkysknky
It's common sense that you don't give large amounts of your money to strangers. I do lots of stupid things but that's not one of them.
.. thing is... are you in your late 60's to 70's ?

I know some old people who have their whits about them most of the time and who would readily tell someone to b*gger off but they seem to be a minority... If you're alone, lonely, unable to get out much, etc... you're vulnerable...

Granted, if we're talking some 20 year old who's trying to make a quick buck that's a whole different kettle of fish but my comments were more in relation to those of a much older generation...

I know what you are saying with some of the older people but still, sending your money half way round the world just because someone you don't know tells you to is just plain stupid.