The Competition Bureau has laid charges in a case concerning a worldwide lottery scam run out of Canada.

The bureau has laid charges of misleading representation and deceptive marketing against two corporations and four individuals. People received unsolicited mail indicating that they might have won a big prize.

The charges are against:

  • HMS Direct Limited
  • Hallstone Products
  • David Stucky
  • Sylvia Carbone
  • Norm Pemberton
  • Jan Swanston

The bureau says it received complaints from 91 countries.

The bureau says the companies sent out mail promoting the purchase of lottery tickets, which gave the recipient an impression they were to get a $5,000 cash prize or some other valuable award.

People were required to send a processing fee of $14.95 to $29.95 US to receive their prize. Every person got a predetermined prize, which in most cases was cheap jewellery.

Those who think they may have been scammed should call the Competition Bureau at: 1-800-348-5358.