These mails inform the recipients that they have won a substantial amount of money. After contacting the lottery manager, the victims of these rip-offs will be asked to pay “processing fees” or “transfer charges” so that the winnings can be distributed. Do you imagine these lottery payments will ever be received? In some cases, the organizers ask for a copy of the winner’s passport, national ID, or driver’s license. With that personal information compromised, future identity theft activities are guaranteed.

Here is a sample of bogus messages:

With the opening ceremonies of the London Games in two weeks, these rip-offs are on the increase.

…Actually please don’t!

Their grey small-print ad declares that calls cost £1.02 per minute and rightly (but pretty much illegibility) claims “this service is not connected with the London2012.com website.” It also says “this information service is provided as is and is without any warranty or guarantee to its accuracy or fitness for any particular purpose.” If that’s true, then why bother?

I have always had an ethical issue with premium-rate information lines profiteering from otherwise free and high-quality information resources. Official information regarding 2012 ticketing is available via  www.london2012.com. It’s a great site and the only one you’ll need and clearly links to the ticketing subsite at www.tickets.london2012.com. The legitimate site even has a page that documents a heap of scams they’ve seen already! Clearly scammers and cybercriminals will continue to use sporting events as a lure to relieve people of their money. Stay informed. Stay updated. Stay safe.