Here's a hot tip from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on playing foreign lotteries by mail: "Don't Do It!"

First, it's illegal. A federal statute prohibits mailing any lottery materials through the mail, including solicitation letters and payments to purchase any ticket, share, or chance in a foreign lottery. The only exemption to the federal law is related to state authorities conducting their own state lottery.

And second, it's impractical. Playing foreign lotteries is not like playing your state's lottery.

For one thing, you can't be certain you will obtain the ticket you paid for. Typically, those who pay the required fees never see any lottery tickets issued by the government-operated lottery they are hoping to enter - despite receiving some form of "entry confirmation" - because most foreign lottery solicitations sent to addressees in the United States do not come from foreign government agencies or licensees.

Instead, they come from "bootleggers" who seek exorbitant fees from those wishing to play. The bootleggers' activities are neither controlled nor monitored by the government of the country in which they are located.

In another twist to foreign lottery schemes, fraudsters send you a fake check or money order as your "winnings," instructing you to cash it and send them a portion of the proceeds to cover taxes and handling fees. Many consumers don't know they, not the bank, are responsible for depositing a bad check.

Federal agents with the Postal Inspection Service in Colorado have received complaints in what authorities are calling "a Jamaican Lottery scam." Postal Inspector Jeff Reed, spokesperson for the Denver office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, describes the activity. "In investigations throughout Colorado, suspects have opened Post Office Boxes at a local Post Office and used fictitious names to send express mailings to victims. The letters were notifications of winnings with a telephone number instructing victims to call a particular number. They were then informed to mail or transfer funds to various locations.

"These sweepstakes and lottery type of scams consistently target the elderly, but also victims of all income levels, ages and backgrounds," adds Postal Inspector Reed. "The Postal Inspection Service is committed to pursuing any individuals who use the U.S. mail to commit fraud. In one particular operation, inspectors identified numerous victims, all of whom were over the age of 70. Our goal is to stop these scammers who prey on the elderly and other victims, and to make those implementing these fraudulent schemes aware that they could face federal prosecution by the United States Attorney's Office."

According to Chief Postal Inspector William R. Gilligan Jr., "Not only is it important to recognize a foreign lottery scam - it is paramount that this type of swindle is reported so that Postal Inspectors, along with their federal, state and local partners, can begin an investigation."

Report suspected mail fraud to Postal Inspectors at 1-877-876-2455 or use the on-line Mail Fraud Complaint Form at https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/. Consumers should report any incidences of telemarketing fraud, including fraud originating from Jamaica, to the FTC at 1-877-382-4357 or online at http://www.ftc.gov. Click on "Consumer Complaint?", report it to the FTC.

About the U.S. Postal Inspection Service

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is one of the oldest federal law enforcement agencies in the country. For more than 200 years, Postal Inspectors have protected the U.S. Postal Service, secured the nation's mail system, and ensured public trust in the mail. To learn more, visit https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/default.aspx.