Beware of Current Advance Fee Scam Targeting Mobile Network Customers



By:  Dorothy Riggs, CFE

According to a report from a fraud-fighting colleague, Lycamobile customers are being targeted by scammers.  Lycamobile is a  mobile network operator company with competitive price offerings to consumers in 21 countries worldwide.  Don’t think the information in this post doesn’t apply to you because you use a different mobile network. Fraudsters show no partiality to one group over another. This time it’s Lycamobile customers who are being targeted. The next time it could be you.
The Lyca Lottery scam works as follows:
Perpetrators cold call Lycamobile customers, promising a £50k lottery win, once a £500 admin fee is paid.  Of course, once the £500 fee is paid the victim’s don’t receive a penny of the supposed lottery winnings.  To give the scheme an air of legitimacy, the crooks have set up a this sham website:  www.lycamobilewinners.com



Tips to help you avoid becoming a victim
  • Avoid answering calls from unknown or unrecognized phone numbers.
  • Do not send money to individuals or entities you’re not familiar with. It’s unlikely that you will win a lottery or sweepstakes if you haven’t entered. Besides, you shouldn’t have to pay fees in advance to receiving legitimate prizes.
  • If you receive a call from an individual or company you are familiar with the best practice is to avoid providing any information or discussion.  The best course of action would be to call them back using a contact number that you have on file or have researched yourself.  Don’t ever return the call using a number that has been provided by the caller.
  • Do not visit www.lycamobilewinners.com.  This is a sham website.  Furthermore, do not click on any links or visit any websites provided by callers until you have verified their credibility by performing your due diligence call as described in the previous tip.

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