POLICE are warning residents in East Hampshire to be vigilant after a couple received a scam lottery letter earlier this month informing them they had won £875,000 and claiming to have been sent by the Postcode Lottery.

When they called the telephone number on the letter as it instructed them to, they were told they would have to pay £1,900 in admin fees to release the payment. The couple immediately recognised that the letter was a scam and refused to hand over any money.

Police said this scam has been around for many years, and similar letters have been sent out to different areas each time.

Hampshire Constabulary said in a statement that unfortunately some people fall victim victim to the tricksters.

Alton Police Station’s Sergeant Ian Dugdale added: “The reminder is to never give out your personal information, especially account details, PIN numbers and signatures to strangers.

“After all, if you haven’t entered, how can you win? Something that seems too good to be true usually is.”

For further help and information, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.