The mail items - both bearing the same Malaysian postmark and containing a professional-looking tour company brochure and scratch-and-win cards - had had been sent to the home address of a Wanaka police constable and at least one other person, from Luggate, Wanaka police sub-area commander Senior Sergeant Allan Grindell said.
Both recipients scratched and ''won'' a so-called ''2nd prize'' of $US170,000 - more than $NZ215,000.
One of the enclosed brochures advertised ''Suitted Tours'', the other ''Comfy Holiday'', and both advised the companies were celebrating their 10th anniversary by giving away ''complementary lottery prizes''.
The fine print on the back of both winning tickets said winners ''might be obliged to submit taxes or any other mandatory charges as a result of the award''.
Winners were required to submit their name, age, occupation, phone number and address to claim their prize.
Although only two cases of the scam had been reported in the area, others were likely, Snr Sgt Grindell said.
''If we're aware of two letters in Wanaka, I'd hate to think how many they're sending around New Zealand.''
While scams of all kinds were ''pretty rife'' and most people were able to easily spot them, the Malaysian one was far more convincing than some.
''This one actually goes to extremes being more the glossy brochure and the scratch-and-win ... it's certainly quite elaborate.''
Snr Sgt Grindell's advice to people receiving similar correspondence was simple.
''I think if it seems too good, throw it away, get rid of it.
''No-one's going to offer you $US170,000 in the mail.''
