In January, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and Iowa Lottery CEO Dr. Ed Stanek held a joint news conference to warn Iowans about the scams. Scammers create fake lotteries, and in some cases use names and images from legitimate lotteries, to send out letters telling Iowans they have won a significant prize, such as $50,000 or $100,000 or more. A bogus check is also included in the letter. The letter claims that in order to receive the prize money, individuals need to cash in the bogus check and wire or send back the money for so-called "processing fees and taxes" or "administration fees."

Miller said, "Typical victims can lose between $2,000 to $4,000 or more, with the promised winnings never to be seen. We are hearing from more and more Iowans who have lost thousands of dollars."

In most cases, the scammers are impossible to trace. Many of the bogus operations originate outside the United States, in places like Canada, Africa or Jamaica.
"These scams are becoming more sophisticated," Stanek said. "The volume of questions the Iowa Lottery and the Attorney General's Office have recently received tells us we must do all we can to educate Iowans about the dangers of these scams."
The new radio campaign will run statewide through the end of March. Internet ads will also run during that time. The goal is to remind Iowans to remain skeptical when they receive a check in the mail from a "lottery award agency."