CONSUMER chiefs have issued a warning to Hampshire residents over a letter telling people that they have scooped a fortune on a Spanish lottery.

It comes after a 61-yearold Southampton man received the letter from a Spanish-based company calling itself El Gordo, claiming that he had won 615,810 euros in the Spanish Sweepstake Lottery.

Now Gary Ramplee wants other people to hear about the scam so that they do not give out their bank details or pay ten per cent of their “win” to an agent.

Gary, of Lower Mortimer Road, Woolston, said: “Straight away I realised the letter was a scam.

“The golden rule is, if you have not entered it you can’t win it. But there are a lot of elderly people that are vulnerable and may fall for something like this. The letter looked so convincing that I thought a few people might be fooled by it.”

The typed letter was addressed to Mr Ramplee’s home and asked him to “keep this award top secret from public notice” until the claim had been processed.

A separate form asked for next of kin information and banking details to be completed and returned to the firm’s address in Spain.

Gary added: “You always hear about this sort of thing in the news, with people losing their life savings.

“If I can stop just one person losing their money as a result of this story then it will have done some good.”

Jennie Scott, a spokesperson for Consumer Direct, said: “When letters arrive stating that you have won a lottery you have not entered, ask ‘how can I win if I have not bought a ticket?’ “If the letter asks you to send money, remember that you should not have to make a purchase to win a prize. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

She added that you should never reveal credit card or bank details unless you are absolutely sure who you are dealing with.

If you have received a similar letter, call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or visit consumerdirect.gov.uk.