The Green Island woman has never visited the Southeast Asian country.
Her suspicions grew when she opened the envelope to discover a brochure for "Golden Pacific Tours" along with a "scratch & win" card allegedly from the tour company.
But like many of us, Mrs Parker is not one to leave a scratchie untouched.
Under its silver coating was a message claiming she had won $US200,000.
Rather than calling the company's Kuala Lumpur office, using the number listed on the card, she instead dropped it off to the Otago Daily Times in Dunedin yesterday, warning others not to fall for the professionally executed postal scam.
"It's really well done and could trick people," she said of the scam, which also included a brochure for the tour company.
However, the constant flow of junk mail into her email inbox, coupled with the fact she had "never been east", meant she was not fooled by the suspect scratch card.
"I win about $10,000 every day."
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment consumer protection manager Mark Hollingsworth said scratch card scams had "been around for some years" in New Zealand.
Malaysia seems to specialise in these scams - the Department of Internal Affairs lists 161 known Malaysian travel scratch card scams on its website, all under the guise of creatively named travel companies such as "Magical Diamond Travel".
Mr Hollingsworth said there was a similarity to many of the scams.
"The scammer relies on the consumer contacting the so-called promoter or travel company to claim their prize."
At this juncture, the scammer then asks for their mark to pay an "advance fee or `taxes'."
"The consumer then does not receive anything, and personal details may be used as part of other scams and frauds."
Mr Hollingsworth urged people to remain sceptical about posted scratch cards, and offered advice to avoid being duped .
"Be suspicious, know that scratch cards delivered by post may be scams.
"Google the name of the company/promoter to see if others are aware of it as a scam. Check on [the Department of Internal Affairs'] list of known scratch card scams, but remember, others may be out there.
"Never send money to claim a prize.
"Don't call. These scams often use a premium rate number."
