Issue Date:  -  Wednesday, 30 January 2002

Your Luck Could Change in an Instant - For the Worst

Overseas lotteries are not only big risks for Australian consumers; they are also illegal if operated in WA and should be avoided, according to Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker.

In response to inquiries received from consumers concerned about a British Lotto Super Draw equivalent to A$57.2 million, Mr. Walker said "scam artists have cranked up their efforts to separate unsuspecting consumers from their money by again targeting Australia, and just recently Western Australia, with a prize offer of twenty million British pounds.

Consumer protection agencies across Australia have concerns about the present foreign lotto offer as the prices quoted are far in excess of what similar British Lottery products actually cost in that country" Commissioner Walker said.

The Department of Consumer and Employment Protection receives hundreds of calls each year from people who have either been approached to participate in foreign lotteries and competitions or who have responded to advertising. Many of these people never receive tickets or prizes and their money cannot be recovered.

"Any operation outside of Australia is often beyond the reach of our law enforcement agencies and people need to be highly sceptical or they could get stung. I strongly urge consumers to seek advice from Consumer Protection before risking their money", the Commissioner said.

Under sections 101 and 102 of the Gaming Commission Act, it is unlawful for foreign lotteries to sell or promote their services within Western Australia.

The present British Lottery offer works out of the website www.britishsuperdraw.com and also offers an international free call service. They seek amounts between A$55 and A$1,100.

For further information on Scams and how to identify and avoid them go online at www.fairtrading.wa.gov.au or telephone 1300 30 40 54.