People are warned not to fall for fake charity emails
EuroMillions lottery winners Colin and Chris Weir have been caught up in a charity scam.
Hoax emails claiming to be from the pair – who won £161 million in 2011 – have been sent to people offering them cash.
The messages claim recipients have been chosen to receive £500,000 from the Chris and Colin Charity Scheme.
People are then asked to provide confidential contact information.
However, the messages are nothing to do with the couple or their charity – the Weir Charitable Trust.
Neither the Weir Charitable Trust nor Chris and Colin Weir will ever email unsolicited offers of money
A spokesperson for the Largs based pair said: “Neither the Weir Charitable Trust nor Chris and Colin Weir will ever email unsolicited offers of money.
“If you are approached by someone claiming to be them or their representative and asking you to provide personal or financial details, it is a scam. Do not respond.”
The email, which claims to be from Mr Weir, states: “We wish to inform you that you have been selected to receive a donation of £500,000 from the Chris and Colin Weir charity scheme.
“We are happily giving out millions to selected people worldwide. However, you are required to acknowledge this mail to further procedures.”
Police Scotland has warned people not to fall for the scam.
A spokesperson said: “ We would advise members of the public to never give out personal information, particularly bank details, following this type of correspondence.
“If you have any concerns, please report the matter to the police.”
This is believed to be the third time fraudsters have tried to use the Weirs’ charity in online scams.
