Beware of ‘Australian Achievement Center’
It sounded too good to be true, and it wasn’t: A fat lottery check from a foreign company, no strings attached.
A 69-year-old woman from San Martin lost $5,350 to a mail scam that promised her hefty lottery winnings, sheriffs report. Last month, she received a letter from the Australian Achievement Center, which said her winnings from the International Lotto Company were being held until she contacted them.
“It’s an old con game,” said Lieutenant Dale Unger. “Whenever someone says you’ve won a lot of money, but they need money from you to release it, that’s a red flag.”
The victim called Guerry Smith – likely a fake name, Unger said – to pay administrative fees before cashing her check. The fees, split between two Western Union money transfers, totaled $5,350.
Her cash was real, but the lotto check bounced.
The victim reported the scam Wednesday, Oct. 4.
