Spanish authorities said yesterday they have arrested 43 people in Seville, Spain, for allegedly running a multi-million-euro lottery scam in different cities across Europe, including Athens.

The suspects are accused of contacting consumers and telling them that they had won a large amount of money through a draw.

The suspects would then ask victims to send their bank details, in order to be paid their prize money, but would first demand a cash payment as a type of deposit.

Spanish police believe that some 46 Greeks have fallen victim to the alleged con artists, paying them over –2 million.

The fake lotteries operated under the trade names of La Primitiva, International Lotto Commission and Bonus7p International Lotto.