There is No Such Thing As A Free Lunch

Nobody gives something for nothing, yet many fall victims to scams. And many of those originate from the simple innocent act of filling out a raffle ticket in hopes of winning a prize.

According to Francisco Segura, temporary chief of the Organismo de Investigacion Judicial (OIJ)  - Costa Rica's judicial police -  the personal information on the raffle ticket can then be sold to individuals or companies who use it to call their intended victim, announcing they have won a prize.

In some cases, Segura explains, the mark's greed is used against them, putting up cash in return for a big payoff. Cases the OIJ is investigating include reports of goods stuck in customs at the airport that can be had for a song if only the "raffle winner" puts up an x amount of cash. Or, reports of winners being notified that a relative is in trouble and needs money.

Whatever the case, it is important to exercise restraint and keep in mind the cliché that nobody ever gives something for nothing or there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Next time you are asked or tempted to fill out a raffle ticket with your personal information, keep in mind that "you may be the prize" in the raffle.