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ARTICLE: Winning Millions Through Online Lotteries
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Sincerely,
Jim Slobodzian
Enroute.ca Financial Services
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Winning Millions Through Online Lotteries - is it too good to be true?
Doesn't it get your heart racing? You see an email message in your "in box" with the heading "You've Won $10 Million!". For just a few seconds I do like to believe that I have won the "big one". It is very hard not to open these emails to read how to collect my millions. After all, it just might be true - couldn't it?
Like any industry online, there are both reputable, professional businesses and there are scammers. To understand the different types of online lottery businesses lets divide them into three broad categories:
1) Legitimate lotteries operated by governments and charities 2) services related to those existing reputable lotteries 3) independents that have created their own online lottery, casino, sweepstakes, draws, etc.
Around the world, lotteries are tightly regulated gaming activities usually run by the state/national governments or by charities. They offer tickets for sale within their jurisdictions as authorized by their local governments. There are a number of trusted businesses online such as http://www.CanadianLotto.ca that are located in
jurisdictions and offer their professional buying services. They do not sell lottery tickets, they offer services only with fees charged up front.
How to Recognize Scams
It is relatively easy to spot a scammer in this area. Usually they approach you by email, phone or mail advising you that you have won. The big tip off is if you never remembered entering. Nothing is free - if you have not spent money to enter a lottery than the chance of you winning is zero. Another tip-off is if they ask you for a "collection fee" or "processing fee" to collect your winnings. It is illegal in both Canada and the United States to ask for money up front after you have legitimately won a prize/sweepstake.
And look deeper at their contact information and credentials. Is their address a post office box #? Do they have a contact phone # and does it work?
By far, the question I get asked most often by people is if the notice they received from "xyz" company saying they "have won" legitimate or a scam. The letter or phone call they received says that they have won $millions (for a draw they never remember entering), and all they have to do to collect is send in a small "processing fee" of a few hundred or few thousand dollars. Of course it's a scam!
The other two categories of new online lotteries and casinos is a legal and jurisdictional nightmare! As mentioned, lotteries and gaming are tightly regulated industries, so if you are playing an online game make sure the company is legitimate and operating legally within its jurisdiction (and yours!). This area deserves a whole separate article.
More Links and Information
Lastly, if you wish to do a bit more homework on legitimate lottery services and national lotteries, and to protect yourself from potential scam artists, visit http://www.CanadianLotto.ca and click on "scam alert" to read more. They have information on prevention tips and links to report a scam.
The Federal Trade Commission (United States) has a helpful site on International Lottery Scams
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/intlalrt.htm
The Canadian Better Business Bureau also has valuable information http://www.canadiancouncilbbb.ca/prize.html
as does the Lottery Insider
http://www.lotteryinsider.com.au/scams/2001.htm
Lastly, while we all hope to "win the big one", let's make sure we do our homework first before playing lotteries online. Know who you are doing business with, know the legal "do's and don'ts" for playing lotteries from the country you live in, and don't let your emotions take over when you are approached by a potential scam artist.
Good Luck!
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Jim Slobodzian, BComm (Hon) is owner of Enroute.ca Financial Services and publishes the free weekly eMoney Guide update.
Click Here Now to Get a FREE SAMPLE CHAPTER of his ebook the E-MONEY GUIDE to the Best Financial Services Online mailto: Enroute@GetResponse.com?subject=Send_Sample or visit http://www.enroute.ca
Copyright (c) 2002 Enroute.ca
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