News release

Revenue Canada issues warning about mail scam

OTTAWA, March 12, 1998...Revenue Canada is warning the public to beware of a mail scam in which a fake letter requesting duty payments on lottery winnings is being sent to individuals.

In one incident, a letter allegedly from Revenue Canada claimed the Department was in possession of a bank draft in the amount of $250,000 from "an American Sweepstakes company" payable to the addressee. The letter stated that since the bank draft was imported into Canada, a 3% duty had to be paid by the addressee before the money could be released.

The letter instructed the addressee to send a bank draft for $7500 to Revenue Canada, or else the $250,000 would be returned to the sweepstakes company.

Anyone receiving a letter allegedly from Revenue Canada claiming payment for duties on lottery winnings should not send payments of any kind under any circumstances. Instead, they should immediately contact their local police department or the RCMP.

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For media information, contact:

12CT/98