Police fear mid-Essex people could be conned out of money as part of a lottery hoax.
A mystery person has been phoning residents in the Braintree area telling them they have won the lottery.
A number of people claim they have been told they have won a "substantial amount of cash" on a Canadian lottery.
A Braintree police spokesman said those who received a call of this kind claim they were told the news and asked to give their credit card details to the caller.
Some people were told to take a cheque to a particular shop in Braintree and the lottery organisers would pick it up and hand over the cash prize.
Staff at the shop have been made aware of the scam and have told police they had no previous knowledge of it before being informed by officers.
So far those targeted have become suspicious and nobody has yet fallen for the con.
If anyone receives a call of this kind contact Braintree police on 01376 551312.
Published Tuesday, March 26, 2002
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