TRADING standards officials are warning people not to be duped by letters promising cash following a spate of complaints.

Officials in Sunderland have received a number of complaints about unsolicited mail suggesting that the recipient has won an overseas lottery.

The letters are designed to give the impression that the person has already won a large sum of money, but on closer inspection they invite them to send money overseas for someone to buy lottery tickets on their behalf.

The lottery mentioned in one letter is in Australia, and in others, France, Germany and Spain.

Trading standards officer Tom Terrett said: "I would not advise anyone to send money in response to a mail shot, either here or abroad, in the hope they'll receive more cash in return.

"You've no way of knowing if the organiser will ever buy you a lottery ticket, never mind sending you a prize.

"Put these letters in the bin."

Anyone with concerns about this type of mail can contact Sunderland Trading Standards on 0191-553 1717.