The Hagerstown Police Department warns the public against a lottery scam that has already cost a few city residents thousands of dollars, according to a written release from Sgt. Paul Kifer.
Kifer wrote that victims have received mail indicating they've won the lottery from outside the United States, such as the "Swiss Lotto, British Lotto and Canadian Lotto, etc."
The letter appears to be a "certificate of award" and instructs the recipient to take the accompanying check, which is usually for about $3,000, cash it and pay taxes and clearance fees to a lottery agent, Kifer wrote.
The agent's name, phone number and address are listed at the bottom of the form, according to the release.
Kifer said a couple city residents sent the money back to the agent and lost the amount after the bank determined they received a fraudulent check.
