DUNMOW police have issued advice to the public after a startling lottery scam duped an elderly resident into paying out £12,500. After contacting Trading Standards the resident, who has not been named by police, was interviewed and it was discovered that

DUNMOW police have issued advice to the public after a startling lottery scam duped an elderly resident into paying out £12,500.

After contacting Trading Standards the resident, who has not been named by police, was interviewed and it was discovered that she had been ripped off by a Canadian lottery scam.

The lady had received a letter saying she had won a large sum of money in a Canadian lottery, even though she had not bought a ticket for it. The resident was asked to send a 'release fee' in order to claim her prize. She ended up paying around £12,500, but never received the prize money she was promised."

Sgt James Gilchrist from Uttlesford South policing team said: "There are a number of scams currently in circulation whereby people are sent letters or e-mails offering large sums of money either as lottery winners or to act as intermediaries in international money transfers. If the offers look too good to be true then it probably is a con and people should not enter into any agreement or communication with the sender."

The nearest trading standards office in Chelmsford can be reached by calling 08454 040506 or e-mailing trading.standards @essexcc.gov.uk, or write to Essex County Council, Trading Standards, 2 Beaufort Road, Dukes Park Industrial Estate, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 6PS.