The Department of Foreign Affairs warns the public on the so-called “advance fee/e-mail lottery scam” which victimizes Internet users.  The scam works this way: First, the targeted victim receives an e-mail notification supposedly from organizers of the lottery who are based, for example, in The Netherlands, congratulating that person for winning a large amount of money.   Then, the fraudsters request the remittance to them, by money transfer or through a bank account, a certain amount which ranges from $1,000 and above as an advance fee for processing of the prize money.

Typically, the intended victim is enjoined to keep the matter confidential, for such reasons as, for example, the organizers sorting out some mix up in the lottery numbers and names.  Needless to say, the victim loses contact with the lottery organizers once the amount is remitted.

The Philippine Embassy in The Hague has already come across four such cases.  Among the victims were a Filipino who sent $5,000; and another one who remitted $25,000.  Two other kababayans were saved from being victimized when they checked with the Philippine Embassy in The Hague for advice before complying with the instructions.

The DFA advises all those who encounter this scam to stop immediately all contact with the alleged lottery organizers.  The website <http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/~wm/wm-lotto.html> may also be accessed for background information on various related scams which could serve as a good reference for warning potential victims. - END