POLICE in Suffolk today warned people to be aware of Spanish lottery scams which try to get hold of bank account details.

POLICE in Suffolk today warned people to be aware of Spanish lottery scams which try to get hold of bank account details.

The force has received around 100 reports this year from residents who received letters claiming they had won a portion of an international lottery they had not entered.

The letters include a processing form that requests all personal and bank details including account numbers, sort codes and the bank's address.

Recipients are also given a number to call, which if they do, they will be asked to send money, likely to be thousands of pounds, in order to release their winnings.

These scams usually target elderly and vulnerable people through the post, over the phone or by e-mail, but it is possible anyone could be on the receiving end.

Detective Inspector Caroline Millar of the Suffolk police Intelligence Bureau said: “We urge people to be on their guard for letters and scams such as these.

“However official a letter may appear, do not get tempted to pass on your details or part with any of your money.

“Any letters offering such large prize amounts can obviously look very attractive but just remember, if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.”

If you believe you are a victim of a fraud, call Suffolk Police on 01473 613500.

If you have received a similar scam, or something you suspect to be a scam, contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.