LOTTERY FRAUD

Federal Law makes it a crime to mail letters or circulars containing lottery material.. including tickets or forms claiming to represent tickets, chances, shares, or interests in lotteries.  Exception:  State owned and operated lotteries may mail to addresses within their own states when authorized by state law.

The three elements making a lottery illegal are:

1. A payment is required (cash or money order).

2. A prize is offered (money or something of value).

3. A return on investment depends on chance (all recipients will participate).

Be wary if you receive what appears to be lottery material from a foreign country, from another state, or from your own state that does not have an authorized lottery, turn it over to your post office or Postal Inspector.