Gaming association warns Canadians of lottery prize scam

A person uses a cellphone

The Canadian Gaming Association is warning the public of a lottery prize scam operating across North America.

Members of the public have been contacted by people claiming to be representatives of the association, or of "fictitious but legitimate-sounding organizations," the CGA said in a statement Wednesday.

Fraudsters have used names including the "International Gaming Commission" and the "Canadian Gaming and Lottery Commission," the statement said. Neither organization exists.

The CGA said the callers tell members of the public that they have been selected as winners of major prizes, which can be claimed by paying a fee.

"This is a fraud and a scam," CEO Bill Rutsey said in the statement.

"We do not call individuals or give away prizes."

The CGA has contacted the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to inform them of the scam, and ask anyone who has been targeted in the scam to do the same.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre can be reached at 1-888-495-8501, or online at www.antifraudcentre.ca.