Female Players Targeted in 50% Commission Lottery Scam

Several female players have unwittingly found themselves ensnared in a lottery scheme, purchasing tickets with a staggering 50% commission, only to discover that they were being duped by a cunning swindler. The orchestrated scam, which unfolded over the course of several years and commenced in November 2020, primarily preyed upon older adults in multiple regions across Canada. Authorities, led by the Peel Regional Police, have now brought criminal charges against the mastermind behind this elaborate ruse.

Instances of individuals attempting to deceive others through lottery or gambling-related scams are regrettably not uncommon, and Canadian law enforcement has intervened in numerous such cases over the years. In this particular scheme, the perpetrator reached out to female victims, falsely informing them that they had won substantial lottery prizes. Subsequently, he would request them to remit tax payments to facilitate the release of their purported winnings.

Joint Investigation Exposes the Swindler

In a recent announcement, the Peel Regional Police disclosed the arrest of a Brampton resident in connection with a protracted lottery scam that spanned the country. The investigation received support from law enforcement agencies in various regions, including Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Bridgewater, Nova Scotia; Thunder Bay, Ontario; and Timmins.

As previously mentioned, the suspect would allegedly contact female victims, misleading them into believing they had secured lottery windfalls worth millions. Subsequently, he would instruct the victims to make tax payments, with the funds directed to the individual located in Brampton, Ontario.

Following an extensive investigation, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant, led by fraud officers from Peel police. This operation revealed the identity of the suspect as Clive Lothian, a 60-year-old individual. Lothian now faces four charges of fraud exceeding CA$5,000, along with two charges of possessing proceeds of crime and one count of defrauding the public.

Mr. Lothian has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on October 16, 2023. Investigators have raised the possibility of additional victims and have released a photograph of the suspect. They urge anyone with information pertaining to the suspect to contact Peel police or provide anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers to aid in the ongoing investigation.