A number of locals contacted the Review to complain about a letter from an 'international lottery board', who falsely claim the recipient has won €815,950 in a surprise Euro Millones draw.

However, the fraudsters behind the letter are not interested in handing out money, but instead look to steal people's identities and money via an elaborate 'claim' scheme.

In the letter the recipient is told that, due to a mix up of numbers and names, the results of a draw made on August 8 were later released on August 13. The recipient is then told that their reference number and batch number drew the lucky winning numbers, meaning they had been approved a lump sum payment.

The letter goes on to falsely claim that the money is being held in an account insured in the recipient's name and that, to claim it, you have to contact your "agent" immediately on a Spanish telephone number.

It also warns that: "Due to false practices, we ask that you keep your award information strictly away from public notice" because of "unwarranted abuse of this programme by unscrupulous individuals."

As part of an investigation into the fraud, the Review phoned the contact named in the letter and, using a false identity, tried to make a claim.

The receptionist who answered my call passed me on to the "agent", whose voice sounded suspiciously identical to the receptionist. He then asked for my name, address, telephone number and date of birth. Asking why this couldn't be checked with the reference number, he said it was because that was not how his system worked.

Enquiring on how I managed to win, I was told it was a "surprise lottery" for the whole world, with people entered into the draw at random. After a short wait, during which some typewriter keys were loudly pressed, the agent informed me that I was a "very lucky man" for winning so much money, and started to tell me how I could claim my winnings.

He said: "There are three ways you can claim. You can come to Spain today to collect it, by bank to bank transfer, for which we need your bank details, or we can send you a cheque."

I told the agent I'd prefer to claim the cheque as I couldn't go to Spain, and was informed that I needed to fax a copy of my passport and driving licence to them immediately, emphasising that my signature should be "crystal clear" to confirm my ID and to obtain a claim certificate.

I was also told to hand-write and fax the following letter to them: "I, A Nother, because I cannot come to Spain, give (the agent's name] permission to carry out this request in my absence." Again, I was asked to make the signature on this letter crystal clear.

Asking why they couldn't just come over to give me the cheque in person, I was told that was because they needed my "identity" first.
Finally, I was informed – almost under the agent's breath – that when I was sent the cheque, I would be sent a bill for 5% of my 'winnings', meaning I would have had to pay them €40,797, or just over £33,000, for the privilege of being scammed.

When confronted with the truth, that the details I gave him were fabricated and the purpose of my call was as part of a special investigation, the agent claimed that he had often heard of fraudsters but there were none in his company.

I asked to speak to his supervisor and for a company registration number, but was blankly refused.

Shockingly, I was asked again to send my signature and passport through to Spain "as soon as possible."

A spokesperson for Consumer Direct Scotland said hundreds of people a year fall for such scams.

She said: "The first thing I would say is that if someone isn't asking you to pay for a prize, you might assume it to be genuine. But identity fraud is on the increase and it's a big problem.

"They ask for things like your date of birth, passport etc. They may not be asking for money, but they are asking for the means to get your money.

"The fact is, if you do win a prize, you should get it, with no administration process or fees to be paid."

The spokesperson said it wasn't just the vulnerable that were targeted by such schemes, and urged people of all ages and backgrounds to be alert to any frauds.

She said: "Anyone can fall victim, you might look back and think 'how could I be so stupid', but the scammers have become so advanced that it can sometimes be difficult to tell.

"For example, there are these text message services where you send a text to buy a ringtone, but then get send tens of them, all charged, that you didn't want.

"The rule of thumb is that, if it seems to good to be true, it probably is."

If you have concerns about a letter or phone call that you believe to be a fraud, you can contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or log onto the website at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.

Consumer Direct has provided the Review with a fact sheet detailing how to deal with a letter which you believe to be part of a scam. To read it, click here.