Divisional Commissioner: Detectives Service, South African Police Service,
Commissioner Johan de Beer
31 October 2006
The South African Police Service is concerned about the number of complaints
that are being received from potential victims of the so-called "SA 2010 World
Cup Bid Lottery". Scam letters and e-mails, originating from within and outside
the borders of South Africa, were received, promising large cash pay-outs.
Of late, perpetrators are purporting to be from the Local Organising
Committee (LOC) for 2010 when luring and or enticing their potential
victims.
The modus operandi has not changed and is still the same: The potential
victim is notified via e-mail (e-mail sourced from the internet), that he or
she has won the lottery. He or she will then be issued with some sort of a
certificate confirming the prize and then requested to complete a number of
forms on-line, in the process unknowingly disclosing his or her personal and
confidential details. Thereafter the victim will be informed of a procedure to
claim the cash. Foremost as part of the procedure an upfront payment or fee
will be requested before the rest of the cash is released.
We reiterate: The following important information must be seriously taken
into consideration before participating in any lottery game in South
Africa:
* The Lottery is governed by the Lotteries Act 57 of 1997. Section 2 of the
Act provides for the establishment of the National Lotteries Board, which is
the only statutory body charged with regulating the operation of the national
Lottery in South Africa.
* The licence to conduct the national Lottery as provided for by Section 13
of the Act clearly indicates that only one licence will be issued at one time
authorising a person to conduct the national Lottery. This licence has been
issued to Uthingo Management (Pty) Ltd. In other words, only Uthingo is
permitted to run Lottery promotions in South Africa.
* Currently Uthingo Management offers three products or games, namely,
Lotto, Wina Manje Scratch Card and Sports Take. The only way to play or
participate in any of the games is to purchase a ticket from an accredited
dealer.
* National Lottery outlet in South Africa. Uthingo does not extend gaming
opportunities to other countries.
* The South African Lottery legislation does not permit participation in the
national Lottery via an agency, which collect commission or a fee for such a
service, and/or the issuing of free tickets to players.
In terms of Section 57(1)(a) of the Lotteries Act, "Any person who
participates in, or conducts, facilitates, promotes or derives any benefit from
a Lottery, promotional competition or sports pool, shall, unless such lottery,
promotional competition or sports pool is or has been authorised by or under
this Act or any other law, be guilty of an offence.
We strongly warn the South African public and the international community
about this and similar scams. Any person receiving any form of correspondence,
urging them to participate in a game of some sort (promising a windfall),
should please contact the following numbers during office hours:
Tel: (012) 401 3345 or (012) 393 1203
Fax: (012) 401 3369 or (012) 393 1202
E-mail: hq.commercial@saps.org.za
Enquiries:
Director Phuti Setati
Tel: (012) 393 5491
Cell: 082 778 4312
Issued by: South African Police Service
31 October 2006
