Scamsters claiming to be linked to national lottery operator Gidani have been sending out emails saying that “randomly selected” people have won $1.5 million (about R12.2m) in a 2010 World Cup International Lottery Mega Promotion.

The email, which was sent to the Cape Argus more than once, claims that 50 “lucky email addresses” have been drawn to win.

It says all that recipients have to do is reply with their personal details, including their ID numbers.

The email has an official Gidani letterhead and logo, and claims that if recipients send their details the same day, the winning funds will be released immediately into their bank accounts.

The national lottery board has distanced itself from the scam, calling for an urgent investigation into the origin of the emails.

Gidani spokeswoman Thembi Tulwana said the company was aware of two “active lotto scams” doing the rounds.

It was also aware that the scams were promoted via emails to certain addresses, as well as on the internet.

“Gidani is the only company licensed to operate the national lottery in South Africa,” said Tulwana. “No other company may run lottery promotions in South Africa without the permission of the South African Minister of Trade and Industry, and the National Lotteries Board.

“The only way to play the lottery in this country is by purchasing a ticket from an accredited national lottery outlet.”

Tulwana said Gidani supported any investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. “When the licence was awarded to Gidani, we committed ourselves to operate the lottery with transparency and integrity, and we do not want to be associated with a scam of any sort.

“This particular scam has already been brought to the attention of the police.”

The World Lotteries Association’s Security and Risk Management Committee has drawn up a list of more than 200 allegedly fraudulent organisations, operating from various countries across the world.

World football body Fifa has warned against the illicit emails.

Spokeswoman Delia Fischer said Fifa was continuously alerted to emails and SMSes fraudulently claiming to be associated with Fifa, the 2010 World Cup or the local organising committee, informing recipients that they had been selected as prize winners in a lottery draw and had won substantial sums of money.

“Many of these messages appear to be official and most of them ask recipients to provide their personal details, including bank account information, in order to claim the prize money,” said Fischer.

“Such scam emails try to persuade the email receiver to submit personal information, or to part with money as an upfront payment in order to release a prize.

“Fifa strongly advises the public to treat any emails concerning lottery draws or cash prizes with suspicion and extreme caution.

“We urge people not to provide any personal or financial details if requested to do so.”

Police have warned that as the World Cup draws closer, South Africans can expect to be inundated with “419 scams” linked to the event.

These scams, which originated in Nigeria, are named for a section of that country’s criminal code.

Suspicious SMSes or emails linked to the World Cup can be forwarded to the police’s specialised “419 scam” task team.

All 419 scams can be reported to 012 393 1203 or 082 779 8565, or email 419scam@saps.org.za