Police Warns Against New Scam Trick: Don’t Fall for It!

Imagine opening your email one morning to find a subject line that says, “Congratulations! You’ve won!” It might seem harmless, but behind this cheerful message lurks a sly new scam that the police are urgently warning about. Cybercriminals are now using the names of well-known lotteries, credible-looking senders, and professional websites to trick people into giving up their personal information.

The scam begins with a fake but familiar email

At first glance, the email appears to come from a trustworthy organization like the Dutch State Lottery, Postcode Lottery, or another major player. The message is professional, the logo looks correct, and it tells you that you’ve won a big cash prize. There’s a link in the email to “claim your prize”—and if you click, you’ll land on a website that looks almost identical to the real thing.

The scammers follow up with a phone call

But it doesn’t end there. The fraudsters leave nothing to chance. Soon after clicking, you’ll receive a call from someone posing as a “lottery employee.” With a friendly voice and industry jargon, they try to win your trust. The story is simple: to safely receive your prize, you first have to confirm a few things.

Slowly gaining full access to your bank details

At first, the criminals ask for seemingly innocent information. But soon they want more: your IBAN, online banking codes, or even a payment “for administration.” Because the call sounds professional and logical, many people don’t realize they are being tricked until it’s too late. Before you know it, the scammers have access to your bank account.

The danger is in the details

This scam is especially dangerous because it’s so carefully crafted. Email addresses seem legitimate, with only small changes—like “lotarij.nl” instead of “loterij.nl.” Typo-free text makes the message extra convincing, and the fake websites are shockingly realistic. The criminals prey on the excitement of having won a prize—a moment when people let their guard down.

How to recognize and avoid the scam

Police advise: Never click on links in emails where you’ve ‘won’ something out of the blue. Instead, type the organization’s website address directly into your browser and see if their story matches. Double-check the sender’s email address for subtle changes. Most importantly—be wary if you never bought a ticket or entered a lottery.

If in doubt, call the official customer service number using details from the real website—never use the number given in the suspicious email.

Stay vigilant—even if it looks professional

Police emphasize that even perfectly designed emails and websites can be fake. Especially if you supposedly win something without ever entering. As a police spokesperson says, “If someone always claims it’s true, they’re lying. That bit of doubt can make the difference between being safe and becoming a victim.”

Report any suspicious messages at www.fraudehelpdesk.nl or contact the police. Only by working together can we stay ahead of these digital scammers.

Original source: https://www.nieuwspauze.nl/politie-waarschuwt-voor-nieuwe-oplichtingstruc-trap-hier-niet-in/