| FRAUDULENT USE OF THE NAME OF THE ONCE | |||
The Spanish National Organisation for the Blind (ONCE) hereby informs the public in general of the existence of a fraud being perpetrated by criminal gangs, who are using the name and prestige of the ONCE worldwide. These criminal organisations cross countries easily throughout the world, and use cell phone numbers, Post Office boxes, provisional or fake addresses (including real addresses of Spanish official organisations), as well as the names of prestigious institutions such as the ONCE and others without authorisation. Also, their communications display fake ONCE letterheads, and signatures of ONCE agents, as well as of other bank and insurance corporations. The procedure that these gangs follow to commit these criminal acts, consists generally of informing potential victims that they have won a substantial amount of money in prizes, even though they have never participated in any draw whatsoever. However, in order to cash the supposed prize, they are required to pay previously a specific amount of money, which is supposedly used for payment of taxes, bank fees, insurance handling and processing fees, etc. Normally, fraudsters warn their potential victims that the term for settlement of these fees is very short, and that the term allocated for claiming the prize is due soon. Victims discover the fraud following the payment, as they never hear of the prize they had supposedly won. The ONCE strongly recommends users to REFRAIN FROM PAYING any amounts whatsoever, as well as not to provide personal or bank data of any kind, when offered prizes in relation to ONCE. Also, we would like to invite everyone to report these criminal acts to the Spanish Police authorities, which have already arrested and placed in custody a number gang members who had been operating in the Spanish territory. It is therefore important to be aware of the following facts: ONCE lottery product prizes are tax-exempt; prizes are only payable at ONCE centres and collaborating banks; and the Cupón lotto draw is broadcast daily by a Spanish private TV channel (CUATRO). Finally, the corresponding lotto number must be bought to be granted the right to participate in any ONCE draws and to opt to the corresponding prizes. |
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| ONCE HAS NOT AUTHORISED THE SALE OF ITS LOTTERY PRODUCTS VIA INTERNET | |||
ONCE hereby informs all consumers that it HAS NOT AUTHORISED THE SALE OF ANY OF ITS PRODUCTS VIA INTERNET, and that the organisation is not related in any way with any activities whatsoever carried out by any website offering the said products. Therefore, ONCE is not responsible for any activities that may be carried out by the persons or entities in charge of, or participating in, the said websites. Also, ONCE shall not be held liable for any guarantees offered through the sale processes implemented via this channel, as required by all consumers, and observing all compulsory legal and regulatory requirements. ONCE reserves the right to initiate any actions it may see fit to ensure the protection of its legitimate rights and interests, in the event of any damage or detriment being caused to ONCE by the activities of a third party. |
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