Ontario Provincial Police reports that another lottery scam has been uncovered costing a victim CA$100,000. After law enforcement intervened, an Etobicoke man is now set to appear and court as he faces charges in relation to the scam in eastern Ontario. Only one individual was detained by the police on September 28, 2023, in relation to the con.
Ontarians should be mindful of such scams and remember that the only legal provider of lottery games in the province is the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. The Crown agency offers games such as Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49. Information on the list of its official games and details on how they are played can be found on its website – OLG.ca.
One Person Arrested
In a recent press release, Prince Edward County OPP noted that in August they were contacted by a resident who told them that they had been informed that they had won the lottery. However, in order to withdraw the winnings, they needed to provide a payment first, and then accept it. According to the police, the victim was defrauded of around CA$100,000.
It is believed that the suspect in the crime had met with the victim in person at the victim’s home. After the police interfered one individual was arrested on September 28, 2023. The name of the culprit is Oraine Williamson, aged 39 from Etobicoke. He is now facing charges of criminal harassment, theft, fraud over CA$5,000, and mischief to computer data.
In connection with the lottery fraud, OLG issued a statement to remind locals that it is the only regulated provider of lottery products in the province. It also stated that it will never ask customers for any kind of payment in order to claim a prize. If one gets unsolicited emails, letters, or calls asking to pay taxes or fees on prizes, then it is most probably a fraud attempt.
Province Deals with Fraud Attempts
Recently, police also uncovered yet another lottery scam in Ontario run by a Brampton man. Through the scheme, the culprit targeted older adults in several parts of Canada. The suspect reportedly got in contact with the victims and lied to them that they had won millions in lottery play. He then requested them to pay the taxes in order to claim the winnings.
In the summer, Ontario saw a case of a woman trying to defraud the OLG by claiming that she had won a windfall in Lotto Max. The culprit was charged with attempting to defraud the Crown, however, it was reported that she missed her court date in the Ontario Court of Justice on September 5, 2023.
Police reported that the perpetrator Sonya Deering, a 33-year-old from North Bay allegedly tried to defraud the OLG of CA$70,000,000. It should be noted that neither the Crown agency nor the police has confirmed that the false claim made by the woman has been in connection to the unclaimed CA$70-million Lotto Max prize sold on June 28, 2022.
Source: Raymond, Ted “Lottery scam in eastern Ontario costs victim $100,000, OPP say” CTV News Ottawa, October 10, 2023
