Ask the officer Ask the officer (July 28, 2004)

Menlo Park police officer Glenn J. Raggio answers questions about the police and law enforcement. Call 330-6396, or e-mail: asktheofficer@menlopark.org.

Q. I received a notice that I won the Spanish lottery. The letter asks that I send my bank-account information so the winnings can be deposited directly into my account. The letter also asks me to send money to cover arrangements for the transfer of funds.

A. Hey! That makes two of us! I won last year! Total scam. We have had several reports of this scam (and others similar to it). People have disclosed their personal account information and have been swindled for hundreds (and in some cases, thousands) of dollars. Victims have actually sent money to claim their "winnings." No genuine money-winning opportunity is accompanied by a request for funds. I'd suggest, should you receive such notification, that you tear up the letter and just enjoy a good laugh about it. Or you could suggest they deduct from your winnings the money they want you to send, and give you the balance in a cashier's check.

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