CONSUMER WARNING: "CANADIAN SWEEPSTAKES" SCAM OPERATING IN MAINE
March 1, 2002
MARCH 1, 2002
CONTACT: CHARLES DOW, Director, Communications And Legislative Affairs
207-626-8577
Attorney General Steven Rowe issued a warning today to all Maine residents
concerning a sweepstakes scam purporting to be from Canada that is becoming
more and more prevalent in Maine. "Many Maine residents have complained
to my office, reporting that they have received calls from Canada that
informing them that they have won a Canadian sweepstakes," said Attorney
General Rowe. "The caller typically states that the money will be shipped
immediately upon payment of a several hundred dollar processing fee. These
calls are scams."
The callers give various reasons why the so-called "winners" must first
pay money in order to receive the sweepstakes bonanza. They state that
the fees are necessary to pay Canadian taxes, or are required due to the
difference in exchange rates between the United States and Canada, or
are necessary to pay bank expenses, etc. Such explanations are part of
the scam and are all bogus.
In fact, it is a violation of both Maine civil and criminal law to call
Maine residents and tell them they have won a prize but that in order
to get the prize they must first pay money up front. The AG's Office is
hopeful that public awareness of the scam will avoid consumer losses and
the need to file lawsuits.
When members of the Attorney General's office hear about these solicitations,
they immediately attempt to contact the Maine resident and warn against
sending any money to the scammers. The office tries to respond as quickly
as possible because the callers are very persuasive and make it seem that
if the Maine resident does not immediately forward them the money then
the sweepstakes winnings will be given to someone else. "Unfortunately,"
said Attorney General Rowe, "we were not able to immediately get in touch
with one consumer who thought she had just won a Canadian sweepstakes.
When we finally got in touch with her, she had already sent — and lost — several
thousand dollars."
The Attorney General stated that this scam is becoming very widespread
and offered the following advice: Never send money to another
country because someone tells you that you have won a sweepstakes.
