|
 |
Home >> Checks/Money Orders >> Checks You Received
I'm a Winner in an International Lottery!
I recently received a letter notifying me of being a winner in a international lotto drawing. With the letter was a check written out to my name for an amount that was equivalent to the amount that would cover the fund release fees. I was instructed to deposit that check into a bank account in my name, and once it clears I was to forward the funds to an account that belongs to my "claim agent" in order for them to release my check for my actual winning amount of the drawing minus 5% commission fee. Would it be safe for me to deposit that sponsor check and comply with the instructions that came with it or what do I or what should I do in this case?
|
|
 Hopefully you've waited to read this response before doing anything, because this little story you were told has all of the symptoms of a classic advance fee scam. The fact you asked about it means you are suspicious.
Analyze what you've been told. First, you're told that you've won a lotto drawing that you never entered. That simply doesn't happen! You have to pay to take a chance in order to win in any legitimate lottery (even the usually illegal office sports pools!).
Next, you're asked to deposit a check and then send your own check for the same amount. Why couldn't that payment be made directly from your alleged winnings? Because there are no winnings, that's why!
We'll bet you dollars to donuts that the check you're being asked to deposit is counterfeit. It's likely that it's coded to go to a bank in Canada, which will take the check outside the U.S., so that your bank would not have to be notified if the check is no good. Checks drawn on Canadian banks usually take several weeks to clear when they are deposited in the U.S.
This scam is designed to have you send a check or a wire transfer from your account (to the claim agent's account) long before your bank would learn that the Lotto check isn't worth the paper it's printed on. The "claim agent" is a confederate of the scam artist (or the crook himself), and he or she is the only person in the whole deal who ends up with real money -- from your account.
When the Lotto check bounces, your bank will come to you looking for reimbursement. If you have enough funds in your account, it will charge you for the check. If you don't, it will create an overdraft to get its money, and possibly charge you for the privilege of being overdrawn. Then if you don't pay the bank for the overdraft, collection efforts will start.
Published on BankingQuestions.com 5/18/07
|
| |
|
Accounts
Article
Q&A
Podcast
Video
Blog
Discussions
PDF
Powerpoint
