NEWARK — Attorney General Zulima V. Farber and Division of Consumer Affairs Director Kimberly Ricketts announced that New Jersey consumers may be eligible to receive some restitution if they were swindled by a British Columbia-based company involved in a telemarketing scam that offered consumers a chance to win a share in the Australian Lottery. Affected New Jersey consumers will have until Tuesday, May 2 to file a claim for a refund.

The money is made available as a result of a $175,000 judgment awarded to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office after it sued Sushila Devi Kumar, also known as Sheila Kumar, and Sandhya Murthi, also known as Kelly Williams. Kumar did business under the names Systems 3 Marketing Inc., SMI, or Systems Marketing. The lawsuit alleged the defendants had telemarketers contact mostly elderly consumers to encourage them to participate in a lottery “pool” that would enhance their chances of winning large prizes from the Australian Lottery.

Any consumer who paid money to Systems 3 Marketing Inc, SMI or Systems Marketing to participate in the Australian Lottery is eligible for some restitution. If the total amount of all claims submitted exceeds the amount available for distribution, pro rata refunds will be made. To claim a refund, consumers must submit an SMI Refund Claim Registration Form and an Affidavit to: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 171 Lovell Avenue, Suite 202, Ebensburg, Pa. 15931.

For more information or to obtain a claim form and affidavit, log onto www.njconsumeraffairs.com and click on “SMI Refund Claim Registration.” Those who do not have Internet access, may call 814-471-1831 to receive the forms by mail. All claims must be received by Tuesday, May 2.

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