RCMP warning of STARS Lottery scam

The Battlefords RCMP are advising residents to be wary of a STARS Lottery scam after receiving complaints.

Police said residents have received calls from people pretending to represent STARS Air Ambulance, claiming they have won new vehicles as well as cash prizes ranging from $30,000 to $175,000.

“Everyone dreams of winning a big lottery prize. Unfortunately the fraudsters are known to take advantage of this and will attempt to manipulate people by falsely claiming they have won an extravagant prize, and asking them to send payment in order to claim their prize,” the RCMP said in a statement.

Police advised people to be aware of the scam to protect themselves from being victims of fraud. The RCMP said the legitimate lottery winners would never be asked to send money, whether that’s cash, cheque, money order, or any other kind of payment, to claim any lottery prize. If people receive such a request they should hang up the phone or delete the email they received from the fraudster, RCMP said, and contact their local RCMP detachment or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.