DUSHANBE, December 2, 2009, Asia-Plus — The British Embassy has become aware of two internet fraud schemes currently circulating in Tajikistan that purport to have links to the UK and wishes to advise Tajik citizens accordingly, according to press release issued by the UK Embassy in Dushanbe.
The first relates to the UK national lottery. Internet users have received e-mails advising them that they have won a prize in the UK national lottery. The British Embassy wishes to advise that the only way you can win a prize in the UK national lottery is if you have purchased a ticket. These cost one pound sterling and can only be bought in the UK. A variation of this fraud suggests the email recipient has been awarded money from a trust fund.
The second fraud is an email advising the recipient that they have been offered a place at a conference organized by the UK”s Immigration and Nationality Directorate taking place in the UK and Nigeria. There is no such UK government organization.
In all cases anyone who replies to the email will at some point be asked to send money to secure their prize, book a hotel room etc. You should not do so.
If you are in doubt as to whether an offer supposedly concerning the UK is genuine, please contact the British Embassy who will be happy to advice, press release said.
