Croydon council’s trading standards service is warning its residents in south London to be on the lookout for emails purporting to be from organisers of the 2012 London Olympics. The scam email has an attachment which at first glance appears to be a scanned letter from the Games’ organisers.
The letter states that the recipient has been selected at random as the winner of a large cash prize.
The scam letter features logos of the Olympic Games organisers in an attempt to look convincing. It tries to persuade the recipient to act quickly and keep their actions a secret.
People are asked to send a number of personal details to an ‘agent’ who will administer the so-called claim.
Councillor Simon Hoar, cabinet member for community safety, said: "Anyone who responds to an email like this is likely to be added to a list by the scammers – making them likely to receive even more attempts to get their money."
"Never give out any personal details unless you are absolutely certain the person you are dealing with is genuine."
Residents who receive emails or letters they feel are suspicious should forward them to: email@actionfraud.org.uk
