Lottery scam uses Mandela name

(CNS): A new email scam is using the good name of former President of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nelson Mandela, to persuade the gullible to part with their money. Police say the email informs the recipient that their email address has been selected as a winner in the Nelson Mandela Foundation/Fifa 2010 World Cup Lottery Draw and the recipient could beentitled to at least 850 thousand dollars.

Attached to the email is a word document detailing the win stating the following:

“This is to inform you that the NELSON MANDELA FOUNDATION and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, here in South Africa, has held an Internet Raffle Draw, and your Email Address was among the 2010 Email Addresses that was picked through the computer ballot system. We therefore with great pleasure, notify you that your Email Address happened to come out top number (1) out of the 2010 Email Addresses, on the FINAL BALLOT DRAW, and this had made you the JACKPOT WINNER OF THE SUM OF US$ 850,000.00(EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS).”

The document also contains an area for the potential victim to fill out some personal details including name, occupation, date of birth and contact details. The genuine Nelson Mandela Foundation has confirmed that there is no such lottery and in a statement, the Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) warned members of the public against the scam confirming that no such competition is being run. Anyone who receives such an email is encouraged to delete it and not respond.

Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling Crime Stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.