Fifa warns against 2010 lottery scams

The International Federation of Association Football - Fifa - has cautioned against illicit e-mails currently doing the rounds, informing people that they had won 2010 Fifa World Cup lotteries.

"Fifa continues to be alerted to e-mails fraudulently claiming to be associated/linked with Fifa, the 2010 Fifa World Cup and/or Local Organising Committee informing recipients that they have been selected as prize winners in a lottery draw and have won substantial sums of money," said Fifa.

Fifa issued a statement on Monday warning the public to treat such unscrupulous e-mails with utmost vigilance as some of these e-mails appear to be very official and tempting.

"Many of these e-mails appear to be official and most of them ask recipients to provide their personal details, including bank account information, in order to claim the prize money. Fifa strongly advises the public to treat any e-mails concerning lottery draws or cash prizes with suspicion and extreme caution," Fifa said.

Meanwhile, the SA2010 website mailbox has also been inundated with a slew of e-mails from concerned recipients of such e-mails from all over the world.

The scam e-mail apparently claimed the award was "sponsored by: Danny Jordan, Fifa President Joseph S Blatter and CEO/Chairman of Microsoft, Bill Gates and a consortium of software promotion companies".

The con artist used the Shine 2010 and the South African 2010 Government websites as references in his letter while asking the recipient to furnish personal details. The swindler also left his seemingly credible contact details and ticket and ballot reference numbers.

Fifa distanced itself from these e-mails and advised the public to ignore such e-mails and resist the temptation of divulging their personal details. Fifa also urged the public to report such scams with the Consumer Fraud Organisation.

"Fifa reiterates that these lotteries have no connection with or authorisation from Fifa and are in no way related to the 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa^TM. Fifa urges people not to provide any personal or financial details if requested to do so," Fifa said.

See our article on online scams and make sure you don't find yourself on the wrong