Shops accused of using lotteries to cheat customers

Shoppers are being tricked into paying high prices for low-value goods by bogus lotteries operated by traders at the capital's Wangfujing area, Beijing News reported on Monday.

At least six shops are carrying out the fraud, according to the report.

A woman surnamed Guo was invited to draw a lottery ticket after she bought two bracelets at a shop on Friday.

She was then told she had won a top prize that would enable her to buy an expensive piece of jewelry at a 90 percent discount.

Guo bought a pair of ear studs for 348 yuan ($57), a 10th of the marked price. However further inspection revealed that the price she paid was much higher than the real value.

Guo asked for a refund, but the shop refused.

In another shop, 11 out of 12 customers won the top prize within an hour.

A lawyer quoted in the report said he believes shops that promote goods with lotteries often deceive and mislead customers.