Be wary of lotto fraudsters

Dear Editor,

The National Lottery Authority (NLA) is doing all it can to deal with fraudsters that have ‘invaded’ the system but the charlatans continue to devise new methods every day.

I have so far blocked about three numbers from unknown persons on my WhatsApp who claim to be staff of the NLA.

One of them who contacted me via text recently explained he had “leaked lotto numbers” and he could help me “win big” if I am interested and went on asking me to pay a registration fee after which he would send to me the numbers to stake.

I must say that anybody who is not familiar with this trick may fall for it at the first instance, considering the convincing and ‘official style’ in which these people communicate. I have seen similar messages on other platforms with some people creating special groups that claim to have genuine lotto numbers.

There is another group of the ”lotto syndicate” which I do not have a problem with. These group only send random messages containing three lotto numbers and ask that people put a “big stake” on it.  I am not bothered about this second group because anybody who chooses to stake the numbers do so at their own risk as they may or may not win.

Inasmuch as times are hard and winning lotto could be another means of income, I wish to encourage individuals to tread cautiously especially in dealing with faceless people posing as NLA Staff.

It is important to avoid any offer that sound too good to be true. Again, I urge the NLA to intensify public education and not relent on the effort of weeding out the crooks in the system.

Bless Akomea,

Achimota.