FRAUDSTERS posing as an official church co-ordinator for the
Olympics, have sent out letters and emails attempting to swindle
personal details out of unsuspecting recipients.
Dozens of different scams, all purporting to be from "Revd Canon
Duncan Green", are being circulated. Canon Duncan Green is the
Church of England's Olympics co-ordinator, and is also head of
London 2012 multifaith chaplaincy services. He has not sent any of
these messages.
One version of the letter informs recipients that they have won
£225,000 in the 2012 Summer Olympic Lottery, and tells them to
complete a form, giving their personal details, in order to claim
their prize.
"Impersonating the Church of England, and using the Olympics to
swindle people out of money is beyond contempt. This is a scam, and
the best thing you can do if you receive such a letter is to throw
it in the bin, or shred it," Kay Hammond, Surrey County Council's
cabinet member for community safety, said.
"All manner of criminals will be looking to use the Olympics as
a chance to make money through various cons and swindles. Trust
your instincts. If something sounds too good to be true, it
probably is."