STARS Lottery scams popping up in Moose Jaw: Police

Scammers in Moose Jaw are pretending to be associated with the STARS Lottery in order to rip people off, the city’s police service says.

According to police, a number of reports have come in about the scam, which sees callers pretending to represent STARS Air Ambulance and telling their targets they’ve won a big prize in a fundraiser lottery, ranging from a pile of cash to a brand-new vehicle.

“The fraudster will attempt to manipulate people by falsely claiming they have won an extravagant prize and ask them to send payment in order to claim their prize,” the police service explained in a statement.

According to police, lottery winners will never be asked to send money in order to claim a prize.

“If you are being asked to send a cheque, money order, or payment of any kind to claim your lottery prize, it is a scam,” the police service emphasized.

“Hang up the phone or delete the email immediately. If you become suspicious, check with STARS directly to verify if you are a winner.”

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Also circulating in Moose Jaw is the so-called grandparent scam, police noted, which sees scammers target seniors by pretending to be a grandchild or relative.

“In this particular situation, the caller immediately indicates they need money and states a lawyer will contact them,” the police service said.

“Once information is obtained from the initial call a second call is placed to the ‘victim’ from someone impersonating a lawyer. The ‘victim’ is instructed to withdraw a large amount of money and await further directions.”

The Moose Jaw Police Service said officers, lawyers, judges and jails do not call people directly to request money. Scams can also be spotted if the caller requests payment in the form of gift cards or cryptocurrency, the police service added.

Anyone who has fallen victim to a scam was urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers.