Street Scam Using Fake Lottery Ticket: Woman Defrauded of $5,000 in Jewelry in New York

How the Scam Works

In Queens, New York, two men defrauded a 69-year-old woman using a sophisticated street scam. Around 10:50 AM on a Saturday, the men in a light gray BMW SUV approached the woman claiming to possess a winning lottery ticket but were unable to redeem it themselves due to their immigration status. The woman, believing their story, exchanged jewelry valued at approximately $5,000 for the fake winning ticket.

The scam did not end there. The perpetrators then asked the woman to purchase pain medication from a nearby pharmacy. When she entered the store, the two men fled with the jewelry.

Similar Schemes Operating in Austria

Austria has reported similar lottery-based fraud schemes. One particularly prevalent variation uses the "EuroMillions" brand name to promise victims potential winnings of just under €100,000. After establishing trust, the scammers pressure victims to make payments to a Turkish bank account under the guise of a "transport insurance" fee.

Fraudsters employ sophisticated tactics including using company names that closely resemble legitimate ones such as "EuroMillionswin" or "Gewinner Österreich GmbH," as well as unauthorized use of official logos and corporate registration numbers to appear credible.

How to Identify the Scam

1. Legitimate lottery operators do not conduct telemarketing Österreichische Lotterien and win2day explicitly do not engage in telephone marketing. If you receive unsolicited calls requesting personal or banking information, it is almost certainly a scam.

2. Legitimate lottery organizations never require upfront payments No legitimate lottery will ask winners to pay fees or insurance premiums before claiming their prizes. Requests for payment before receiving winnings are a guaranteed warning sign of fraud.

3. Similar-sounding company names do not guarantee legitimacy Scammers routinely create business names nearly identical to real companies. When in doubt, independently verify contact information by checking the official website or calling the main customer service line directly—never use phone numbers provided by the suspicious contact.

Prevention Tips

• Never exchange valuables with strangers on the street, regardless of their claims about lottery tickets
• Always verify the identity of anyone making unexpected contact about a lottery win
• For any lottery-related inquiries, hang up and call the official number listed on the legitimate organization's website
• If pressured to make payments or wire money, pause and consult with trusted family members or local authorities before proceeding
• Be especially skeptical of communications arriving by unsolicited phone calls or emails

Where to Report

In Austria, report lottery scams to local police (emergency: 133) or the consumer protection authority. In the United States, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov) accepts reports of online and mail fraud schemes.