The Scottish-born Portobello resident said she received a handwritten addressed envelope from Malaysia, containing a professionally produced brochure for ''Gold Tree Holidays'' and two scratch-and-win cards with prizes ranging from $US250,000 to cruises and laptops.
The scratch-and-win cards were purportedly to celebrate the company's 10th anniversary.
When Mrs Davies scratched one and found she had won second prize, said to be worth $US170,000, she wondered what would have happened if the envelope had been addressed to someone a little less perceptive.
''My first impression was, 'This is bollocks - I don't win money like this'.
''My husband said if it's too good to be true, it usually is.''
Mrs Davies said the thing that made it believable was the professional glossy brochure.
''I'm amazed by the sophistication of the scam.
''It comes across so professional and someone could fall for it very easily.
''I just want people to know that this is a scam.''
The scam is well known to the Department of Internal Affairs.
The department's website shows the scammers are still using the same text content, but were changing the name of the holiday and the images.
In Mrs Davies' case, the name Gold Tree Holidays appears on the brochure, but other names have appeared on similar brochures, including Asia Pacific Travelling, Great Luxury Holidays, Blue Topaz Holidays, East Valley Travels, Akasha Holidays, Comfy Holidays, Embrace Holidays, Suitted Tours, Hunt You Holiday, and Summit Travelling, Abadi Holidays, Woods Tourism Malaysia, Mas Odyssey and Ravine Travel.
The promotional material says the company was founded in 2003 and is focused on island vacations in various countries, particularly Asia.
''Our group strives to provide the best services, professionalism, accommodation, guides and transportation to our clients and guest [sic].
''Whether you seek adventure with the kids, a romantic getaway or fun-filled trip with friends, we at Gold Tree Holidays have you covered and well-equipped to spend some of the best times of your life with us.''
While the telephone numbers on the brochure have a Malaysian international code, the website www.goldtreeholidays has been registered to Houston, in the United States.
A Department of Internal Affairs spokeswoman said the department received reports of scams ranging in format from email and cellphone text messages, to phone, fax, postal and online scams.
Details of the scams were posted on the department's website in a bid to warn the public, she said.
''Our general advice is, if it's too good to be true, it generally is,'' she said.
