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January 28, 2008
You've got scam!
Today we got a one-ring phone call, and ten minutes later, a text message from the same number. It read:
TELCEL URGENTE
ESTIMADO USARIO EL DIA
DE HOY SE REALIZO EL
PRIMER SORTEO EN APOYO
FUNDACION VAMOS
M E X I C O DONDE SU
LINEATEL SALIO GANADORA
DE UN AUTOMOVIL JETTA
2008 100 MIL PESOS M. N Y
UN TEL. CELULAR PERMISO
DCDSRT. 2241.2008
COMUNIQUESE A
BOLETAZO Al TEL
0456621122563
Basically, for those of you that don't read Spanish, it says that we've won a 2008 Jetta, MXN $100,000.00 and a cell phone. We are instructed to call a number about it; it is a different number than the one making the call.
I always get suspicious when we are told we have won contests, lotteries and raffles that we have not entered. I looked online to see if I could find anything reporting such messages as a scam. I found a blog article that confirmed that it was a estafa. In English, a scam.
Using a web-based form to look up phone numbers, I found that the call originated from number in Hermosillo, as had the one in the scam discussed in the other blog article. I didn't call the number back to find out what I had to do in order to claim those prizes, but I suspect that they would have directed me to phone a certain number that charges per-minute fees (like a 900 number for those of you in the United States), pay out money for "processing" our awards, or require us to buy cards for cellphone airtime and give them the codes listed on the cards (thereby giving them the airtime).
The original blog entry was written in 2004, and a follow up entry indicated that such scams were still going on two years later. I can verify that they are still going on here in Mexico, and without much change in the modus operandi.
The original site gives some tips on avoiding being ripped off by these scams. For our readers who do not speak Spanish, I will give a quick and dirty translation.
- It's unlikely that you are going to win a prize in a contest you did not enter or know about.
- If you are called about a prize, get the name of the company awarding the prize. Look up the number independently (don't take the number from the person offering you the prize on the phone) and call them directly to confirm your being awarded a prize.
- Reject the offer immediately if you have to spend any money to claim the prize.
- Be suspicious if they tell you that you have to call another number to claim your prize. It's probably a number where you are charged per-minute, and the per-minute charge can be ridiculously high.
- Report such calls or text messages. The second article says one can contact La Dirección General Adjunta de Juegos y Sorteos de la Secretaría de Gobernación to report them at this toll-free number: 01 800 005 8346 or this email address: denunciajys@segob.gob.mx.
- Do not be intimidated. These are crooks who will lie and tell you that they are important people in big companies in order to impress you. Be suspicious!
- Warn your friends and family members about these scams. Tell minors to never give out personal information to people they do not know over the phone or the Internet.
- Don't forget that you can get scammed in other ways too, not just by telephone. You can be scammed by email, visits to your home or postal mail too.
- Use common sense. Nobody gives things away for free.
It's too bad though. I wouldn't mind having a Jetta.
Posted by crispy at January 28, 2008 09:29 PM