scam
6 June 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 payouts.
Modus Operandi: The potential victim is notified via e-mail (e-mail sourced
from the internet), that he/she has won the Lottery. He/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/her private 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/fee will be requested, before the rest of the cash is
released.
The following must be taken into consideration before participating in any
lottery game in South Africa:
1 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.
2 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 ottery promotions in South Africa.
3 Currently Uthingo Management offers three products/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 National Lottery
outlet in South Africa. Uthingo does not extend gaming opportunities to other
countries.
4 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 authorized by or under
this Act or any other law, be guilty of an offence.â
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: Captain Percy Morokane
National Spokesperson
Media Relations
Communication and Liaison Services
South African Police Service head office
Tel: (012) 393 5522
Fax: (012) 393 5525/27
Cell: 082 778 5602
Issued by: South African Police Service
6 June 2006
