The Peabody Police department has recived reports of calls made to primarily elderly residents telling them they have won a lottery. This is an age old fraud and different variations are presented. In this instance the caller tried to legitimize the scam by contacting neighbors to pass on messages to the chosen victim. If you get any calls of this nature do not participate and report the attempt to the police by calling 978-531-1212 or making an online report on our website. For further details contact the Detective Division at 978-538-6364.
LOTTERY SCAMS
FOREIGN LOTTERY
•In this scam, you receive a call, email or letter -- usually from a foreign country -- telling you about a way to select winning lottery numbers, and you need to call a toll-free number to find out more. There is no need to call that number. All the con criminal has is a winning way to take your money.
LOTTERIES
•A person offers to sell a winning lottery ticket or a "law firm" says someone has left you a winning lottery ticket, but you must send money so a computer can verify your identity. The "winning" ticket may be counterfeit or not exist. Be suspicious, do NOT buy a ticket from an individual, and do NOT send money!
