LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is warning consumers to beware of scam artists who are telling Arkansans they have won money in an international lottery.
Rutledge said con artists are contacting Arkansas consumers through direct mail, email or by phone requesting a small fee in order to process these cash prizes.
Usually the con artist claims the recipient has won a lottery or an expensive prize, such as a car or a trip. All the consumer has to do is submit either a small payment or personal financial information to claim the prize.
But, Rutledge said, the international lottery ploys are just another attempt by overseas scammers to steal money from consumers. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service estimates Americans pay the scammers $120 million a year for this scam alone.