Scratchie scam via registered mail offering $US240,000 prize really is 'too good to be true'
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It is sold as a scratch and win dream — two professional-looking scratchie cards neatly packaged alongside a glossy travel brochure and sent via registered mail with a return address to Kuala Lumpur.
When the recipient scratches a ticket, they "win" a prize of $US240,000 ($369,000).
But before any prize can be claimed, recipients are asked to provide the scammers with their personal identification details and to transfer money to claim their winnings.
Consumer Protection WA said there had been an escalation in scratchie scams, with 110 reports made to the consumer watchdog over the past year.
Five West Australians fell victim to scratchie fraudsters totalling $30,550 in losses.
ABC Kimberley-Pilbara Saturday Breakfast presenter Roslyn Butcher received the pictured scratchies last month.
"I was quite excited because normally whatever online shopping I do I tend to get it sent to a parcel locker, but this was registered post," she said.
The Kimberley-based presenter was suspicious and checked online to see if it was a scam.
"I know the saying: 'If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is'," Ms Butcher said.
"I was able to think this through and realise it probably was a scam. Sure enough, it really was too good to be true."
Change of tactics
Consumer Protection Kimberley senior officer Ange Inns said scammers changed their fraudulent trading name once found out.
"It's a lottery in itself whether you receive them. Don't fall for the glossy paperwork and the big win," she said.
"To go to this trouble and effort, you'd think that they are quite certain some people are going to fall for these scams."
She said scammers attempted to use the provided details for identity theft.
"It's definitely one of the tricks of their trade to get you sucked into sending in your personal details, copies of your passport or your bank account details," Ms Inns said.
"This could be used in a lot of ways to steal your identity, take out loans, and all these other things."
Millions lost to scammers
Australian Competition and Consumer Protection Commission statistics show Australians have lost more than $5.8 million in "unexpected winnings" scams, which include scratchie scams, since 2020.
Fraudulent scams arriving in the mail have accounted for $1.6 million in losses, with residents in Queensland, New South Wales and WA reporting the highest number of scams.
While WA authorities said the scams were difficult to shut down, people should be suspicious of any letters, emails or telephone calls suggesting they had won an unexpected prize.
"You should never have to pay to win money, and be careful of sharing your ID documents," Ms Inns said.
"We can attempt to take web pages down, but I think the scammers will always be around."
Written by Esse Deves, ABC News.
When the recipient scratches a ticket, they "win" a prize of $US240,000 ($369,000).
But before any prize can be claimed, recipients are asked to provide the scammers with their personal identification details and to transfer money to claim their winnings.
Consumer Protection WA said there had been an escalation in scratchie scams, with 110 reports made to the consumer watchdog over the past year.
Five West Australians fell victim to scratchie fraudsters totalling $30,550 in losses.
ABC presenter Roslyn Butcher was suspicious when she opened the mail. (ABC Kimberley: Andrew Seabourne)
ABC Kimberley-Pilbara Saturday Breakfast presenter Roslyn Butcher received the pictured scratchies last month.
"I was quite excited because normally whatever online shopping I do I tend to get it sent to a parcel locker, but this was registered post," she said.
The Kimberley-based presenter was suspicious and checked online to see if it was a scam.
"I know the saying: 'If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is'," Ms Butcher said.
"I was able to think this through and realise it probably was a scam. Sure enough, it really was too good to be true."
Change of tactics
Consumer Protection Kimberley senior officer Ange Inns said scammers changed their fraudulent trading name once found out.
"It's a lottery in itself whether you receive them. Don't fall for the glossy paperwork and the big win," she said.
"To go to this trouble and effort, you'd think that they are quite certain some people are going to fall for these scams."
Ange Inns says it is important that residents report the scams to ScamNet. (ABC Kimberley: Dunja Karagic)
She said scammers attempted to use the provided details for identity theft.
"It's definitely one of the tricks of their trade to get you sucked into sending in your personal details, copies of your passport or your bank account details," Ms Inns said.
"This could be used in a lot of ways to steal your identity, take out loans, and all these other things."
Millions lost to scammers
Australian Competition and Consumer Protection Commission statistics show Australians have lost more than $5.8 million in "unexpected winnings" scams, which include scratchie scams, since 2020.
Fraudulent scams arriving in the mail have accounted for $1.6 million in losses, with residents in Queensland, New South Wales and WA reporting the highest number of scams.
The ACCC has recorded more than 1,000 reported unexpected winnings scams between 2020 and April 2025. (Supplied: ACCC)
While WA authorities said the scams were difficult to shut down, people should be suspicious of any letters, emails or telephone calls suggesting they had won an unexpected prize.
"You should never have to pay to win money, and be careful of sharing your ID documents," Ms Inns said.
"We can attempt to take web pages down, but I think the scammers will always be around."
Written by Esse Deves, ABC News.
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