Lancashire Constabulary is warning people not to fall for a lottery scam which claims to be genuine because it has been investigated by police.

Letters are being sent out to random members of the public stating that they have won the lottery.

The letter requests the person to make a payment of several hundred pounds so that their 'winnings' can be released.

A counterfeit letter from Lancashire Constabulary is also included, claiming that the force has investigated the company and that the company is genuine.

The letter is then signed "Bill Lambier III" Director of Operations at Lancashire Constabulary.

DC Mark Turner, from Lancashire Constabulary's Economic Crime Unit, said: "If anybody receives a letter like this the best advice is to throw it away and ignore it.

"Lancashire Constabulary has had no involvement whatsoever with the company and if anybody has any doubts at all they should contact the police.

"More often than not if something sounds too good to be true then it probably is."

The scammers are not only targeting people in Lancashire, but letters have also been sent to people in Cumbria, Dorset and Hampshire.

Anybody who has received a letter like this or has any information should contact police on 08451 25 35 45.

Visit www.lancashire.police.uk and click on media centre for tips and advice on how to deal with scams like these.