A MOTTINGHAM woman was targeted four times by a national scam which aims to swindle thousands of pounds out of innocent residents.

Dee Patterson, 63, of Ravensworth Road received the first of four letters offering her prize money, in March.

It told her she had won £1,400 but asked her to send £15 to a P.O. Box, in Vancouver, to cover "distribution costs". When she found a second letter on her doormat, Mrs Patterson binned them both.

When Mrs Patterson, a retired civil servant, received a fourth letter, last Tuesday, she decided to contact News Shopper to warn others of the scam.

She said: "This one says if I send them £19.95, I will receive £1,500 per month until January and I'll also get a gold tennis bracelet. It's worrying that these criminals know my name and address. There's a form at the back of the letter which asks for all my bank details and my signature.

"It makes you wonder what else they're using the information for," she added.

Mrs Patterson's main concern is for others who are more trusting. She said: "It's a right con and I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole.

"I think the scam is disgusting because vulnerable people will send off the cash and not receive a penny. Someone out there must be a millionaire."

GMTV launched a high-profile campaign in May to expose the con which has already duped hundreds of people across the country.

The Office of Fair Trading recently visited the Canadian police and several people have now been arrested and large amounts of money seized.

Trading Standards says residents should be wary if asked for private banking details such as credit card information or asked to send cash or a postal order, rather than a cheque or credit card.

If you have any concerns about dubious prize money offered to you or would like to report a scam, visit Trading Standard's official website www.ripofftipoff.net or call 020 8314 7411.

mgomm@london.newsquest.co.uk

July 16, 2002 12:00