Another lottery scheme targets British Internet users

Aug 20, 2013 17:01 GMT  ·  By

Scammers are leveraging The Ashes, the Test cricket series played between England and Australia, to trick unsuspecting Internet users into handing over their personal details and maybe even some money.

Symantec experts have spotted 419 scam emails that inform recipients of the following:

“Your Email Address have won $2,500,000 USD in the 2013 ASHES SERIES. Contact [email] with Your Full Names, Address, Telephone Numbers (Home and Mobile), Nationality and Date of Birth and quote your E-Ticket Number.”

This is usually only the first phase of the scam. Once victims comply with the request and send their details, the scammers start asking for money that’s allegedly needed to transfer the prize.

Beware of emails that claim you’ve won in lotteries and other contests you haven’t entered. It’s highly unlikely that an organization will give you money without a good reason.