Travel scratch & win cards

Malaysian travel scratch and win cards have been delivered to mailboxes around the country, often from travel companies based in Malaysia. Unfortunately this is a common scam that we explain for you here. If you open up the envelope you’ll find a glossy brochure and two scratch and win cards (see picture). Rub off the…

18th November 20154th March 2019

If you open up the envelope you’ll find a glossy brochure and two scratch and win cards (see picture). Rub off the panels and you’ll find you’ve won second prize.

The brochure normally states:

Attached to this brochure are 2 complimentary scratch cards. With these cards you stand a chance to win fascinating prizes compliments of our company. It is our hope that you will prosper with us as we take our first step into the New Year and Celebrate our 10 years of success!

The names of the companies sending out these winning cards change almost weekly and Police and the Department of Internal Affairs regularly report scammers targeting New Zealand internet users.

This scam (advanced fee fraud) relies on the winner contacting the promotion organisers to claim their prize. You’ll need to pay a fee – often described as taxes – and hand over personal information including your passport details.

If you pay the fee that’s the last you’ll hear from the travel company, except for more demands for further payments.

What to do with your winning scratch card tickets

Never send money to claim your prize, especially via a money transfer service such as Western Union.
Protect your personal information, don’t give out bank or passport details.
Don’t call the scammers to check on your win, they may be using a premium rate telephone number.
Google the name of the Malaysian travel company and the word ‘scam’ to see if others have reported these scratchies.
Warn friends and family about this ongoing scam.
Report the scam to Netsafe

The Department of Internal Affairs lists known postal scams and identifies travel scratchie company names including Golden Princess Holiday, Flyers Wing Travel and Southern Admiral Tours.

Report a scam

Help if you have been scammed or think you are about to be scammed: Netsafe can’t open investigations or track scammers, but we can offer support and advice for people who have lost money in a scam, or think they are about to. This includes letting you know the steps you can take depending on the scam you’re in and giving you advice about how to stay safe in future. You can report a scam to www.netsafe.org.nz/report.

Our help service is open from 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 5pm on weekends.

Report a scam