Lottery syndicate website not paying out, lying about cheque

[Coldspark]

So about a month ago I won a small amount of money on a lottery syndicate website, which for the moment will remain nameless.   They offer only two methods for payout - by cheque or some texted code you can supposedly take to the post office (while this technically does exist, most PO staff have never heard of it, and none seem to accept it).   I requested a cheque which was supposed to arrive "within 7 days".   It has now been almost 4 weeks and nothing has turned up.

 

I've contacted their support 4 times so far.  Each of the first 3 times they apologized and said they would have their "transaction team" contact me to investigate the missing cheque.   They never did.    The 4th time I spoke to them they said there has been some vague "delay" and that my cheque had been sent the day before, and will supposedly arrive within 2 days, and by no surprise at all it also never turned up.

 

At this point I can only assume it's all been one big lie and they have no intent on paying me.   Is there anything I can do to 'force' them into releasing my winnings?  Or failing that what are the chances I can have my bank reverse the money I've spent there?

[cocopop3011]

So about a month ago I won a small amount of money on a lottery syndicate website, which for the moment will remain nameless.   They offer only two methods for payout - by cheque or some texted code you can supposedly take to the post office (while this technically does exist, most PO staff have never heard of it, and none seem to accept it).   I requested a cheque which was supposed to arrive "within 7 days".   It has now been almost 4 weeks and nothing has turned up.

 

I've contacted their support 4 times so far.  Each of the first 3 times they apologized and said they would have their "transaction team" contact me to investigate the missing cheque.   They never did.    The 4th time I spoke to them they said there has been some vague "delay" and that my cheque had been sent the day before, and will supposedly arrive within 2 days, and by no surprise at all it also never turned up.

 

At this point I can only assume it's all been one big lie and they have no intent on paying me.   Is there anything I can do to 'force' them into releasing my winnings?  Or failing that what are the chances I can have my bank reverse the money I've spent there?

 

I assume you're in the UK, right?

 

To be honest I've never heard of a lottery syndicate site - I only play lotto through the actual National Lottery website. Is the site legit? I know you don't want to name it which makes it difficult to establish if it is or not - but it just surprises me that there's no other method of payment?

[Coldspark]

There's quite a few syndicate sites like this.  Generally you pay a monthly subscription or by individual draws, and you get a bunch of lines for every lottery and euromillions draw, and any winnings are split between all players in the group (and obviously the website too)   This one also has a bunch of instant games.

 

The site is called Lotto Social.

 

It definitely feels dodgy with only those two payout methods, but they've been around for several years.  I can't imagine being able to operate this long if they weren't at least somewhat legit.   Though there are more than a few reports of payout problems with them.

[pinnit2015]

You could use the charge back on debit cards - careful though, it's awash with checks that they'll do and if you manage to pass it,  it it'll see you put on a casino blacklist basically (may not apply in this case)

 

s75 if used a credit card. This is easier than chargebacks and more likely to be successful.

 

I'm not sure how these are applied in terms of lottery's/casinos etc - possibly under the section of 'failed to supply goods' or misrepresented what they were selling - not the expert....

[cocopop3011]

Yeah I'm not actually sure who you turn to because they're not actually part of Camelot. I'm also surprised to see they have 4.97 on Trustpilot.

 

Is it a direct debit you have set up to pay?

[pinnit2015]

Quick look on Companies House shows that they are, as of 24th April coming up, being dissolved - struck off the companies house register.

 

Which means that as of 24th April, the company in it's current standing no longer exists, no chasing of debts etc etc.....

[pinnit2015]

Which probably accounts as to why their transaction team never got back to you...they've all got new jobs 

[cocopop3011]

Quick look on Companies House shows that they are, as of 24th April coming up, being dissolved - struck off the companies house register.

 

Which means that as of 24th April, the company in it's current standing no longer exists, no chasing of debts etc etc.....

 

  And there's the reason why OP hasn't received the money.

 

Considering this is in 4 days I'm completely shocked their website is still allowing people to register and there's no warning signs. But on saying that when I worked for MFI and they went into liquidisation they still took orders knowing they would never get fulfilled.

 

OP - Mind us asking how much your winnings were? If they have dissolved I can't see any way you'll get your wiinnings.

[pinnit2015]

oopsie - searched for Lotto Social Limited and it came up with the above but Hatchster Ltd is still on the go (seems Lotto Social Limited, same address mind you, is the one on the 24th). Don't know if that means that the software company is being dissolved or what...

 

As Coco said they'd not be allowed to keep trading so presume that all ok. Looks legit enough (well as legit as anything with the word syndicate in it can be)

[Coldspark]

It's honestly only £20, so it's not the end of the world or anything.   I just want at least something from the money I spent there.    And about the Trustpilot reviews, the vast majority are clearly fake (all one-line 5 star reviews from users who never posted before or since).

 

I just spoke to their customer support and they seem to know nothing about being dissolved.   And the website is still up and running.

 

They also said my cheque will arrive in 4 working days (they've told me this 4-5 times before).

[cocopop3011]

It's honestly only £20, so it's not the end of the world or anything.   I just want at least something from the money I spent there.    And about the Trustpilot reviews, the vast majority are clearly fake (all one-line 5 star reviews from users who never posted before or since).

 

I just spoke to their customer support and they seem to know nothing about being dissolved.   And the website is still up and running.

 

They also said my cheque will arrive in 4 working days (they've told me this 4-5 times before).

 

Guess all you can do now then is wait another 4 working days

[pinnit2015]

Probably costs more than 20 quid for them to process a cheque

 

It’s like 1996 - should just hop on internet banking and send it