Don’t get ripped off, just rip it up

By Callan Date
TWO Endeavour Hills men fear Casey residents are being targeted by an international lottery scam.
Tom Gilic and Joe Stramand have raised the alarm after they, along with several of their neighbours and work colleagues, were sent out professionally designed letters claiming they could win tens of thousands of dollars.
The slick-looking solicited letters feature various word and number puzzles and have been sent by USA company Contest America Publishers (CAP).
Recipients are required to solve a simple puzzle and then pay a registration fee by submitting their credit card details.
However, according to a Western Australian Government website, there is little or no chance you will ever receive any money.
“Contest America Publishers makes it sound all too easy – answer a simple question and you could win thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, it is not that simple,” the website says.
“The letters give the impression that you have been selected or nominated to be in the running to win big money by entering their contests. In fact, you are just a name on a mailing list.”
Mr Gilic said several of his neighbours had been targeted by the mail-out and some had even parted with their money.
“I know of up to five people who have lost money. Most of them have only lost small amounts (about $30-$100) but they are still losing money,” Mr Gilic said.
The concerned local said he was aware of one Endeavour Hills resident who had spent about $5000 trying to get a $25,000 prize.
“What I got so angry at was, I rang the fraud squad and they said start with your local police and they would put a team on it.”
He said those who had been ripped off were very embarrassed about being conned out of their money.
“They don’t really want to speak about it,” Mr Gilic said.
Mr Stramand said he had received as many as four letters in the past three weeks.
“What I’m suspicious of is that I put in for a free booklet about three months ago from Queensland. My address may have been taken off that mailing list,” Mr Stramand said.
The letters follow an official police warning about similar chain letters-scams being circulated in Casey.
Narre Warren Senior Sergeant Daleen Spice said that many of the letters although not illegal, could cause some problems to unsuspecting locals.
“We are just asking people to be very mindful. Just be very cautious,” Sen Sgt Spicer said.
“You never get something for nothing,” she said.