Original Blog Entry: FBI involved in Oprah Winfrey sweepstakes scam

truesee — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:21:19 GMT

FBI involved in Winfrey sweepstakes scam

April 9, 2009

Last Update: 10:37 am

Read the warning issued by the FBI

The FBI has been called in to look into the $1 million scam allegedly sponsored by Oprah Winfrey's talk show.

Winfrey's camp was alerted to the issue by fans complaining about an email they had received, claiming they had been electronically selected to compete in an Oprah Millionaire Contest Show.

Con artists prompted recipients to fill out a questionnaire and send money for travel arrangements and tickets to the show.

Officials from The Oprah Winfrey Show reported the scam to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and both offices have posted a warning to consumers on their Web sites, reports the New York Post.

Two previous cons involving Winfrey's show have been handled by the Illinois Attorney General's Office, an Internet scheme in November 2006 and another over a fake sweepstake in April 2007.

This is the first scam reported by Winfrey's office to the FBI.

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