Date:02/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/02/stories/2009010250880200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Public warned of e-mails offering ‘prize money’

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The police have issued an alert that the public be wary of e-mails that inform them that they have been chosen for prizes worth crores of rupees.

According police, the sender used the ruse to send e-mails stating that the receiver had been chosen for a prize.

The winner was, however, required to deposit in a bank in a foreign country a sum equivalent to 20 per cent of the prize money (valued in pound sterling).

After the money was deposited the winner would be informed through a second e-mail that another 10 per cent be sent to cover courier expenses to bring him the prize money.

The swindlers also used Indian telephone numbers and constantly kept in touch with the winners, to prevent suspicion.

They would also promise to bring the prize money home but would never turn up.

Police Commissioner K. Radhakrishnan, in a press release on Wednesday, cautioned people not to fall prey to such gimmicks.