Lottery Scams
I received an official looking letter post marked May 24'05 from,
Las Vegas, Nevada Actionable Award Program
PO BOX 98855 Las Vegas, NV 89193
Written Above this address was, RESPONSE OF RECORD MUST BE FORWARDED TO:
Three spaces below in a smaller font was the legend, Response of Record Must Be Filed
centered under that was, Return at Once.
I'd never seen a letter quite like this one.in big bold upper case letters at the top was what should, in retrospect, have been my first clue. It read:
You are officially sworn to secrecy absolutely confidential
This was followed a double space later by:
MARKETING IMAGING OFFICIALLY DRAWN TO FOUR PRIZED NAMES (FOR THE PRIZED RECORD):
Then after another couple of spaces:
NAME NO. 1:
Then it dropped down to a centered bar code followed by my name and address. There is a gold seal that reads sworn confidential LVAAP Privileged Privacy Right Contract. The text on the page is framed between pretty green borders. It says.
Prized record non-governmental agencies report (s)
NAME NO. 1. Alan Litchfield, OK... X confirmed prize over $3,341, 006.00 _ collected x uncollected
NAME NO. 2. Darlean Moore, IN... X confirmed prize over $4,761, 446.00 x collected _uncollected
NAME NO. 3. Harry Shawback, AZ... X confirmed prize over $5,275, 543.00 x collected _ uncollected
NAME NO. 4. John Sandstrom, PA... X confirmed prize over $10,238, 661.00 x collected _ uncollected
Congratulations no. 1 alan litchfield restrictive - tell nobody!
Then seemingly hand written. Congratulations from all of us - been trying to reach you.
THIS IS A DAY YOU MAY REMEMBER FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE POSTMARKED/PRIORITIZED 05/20 - 05/21
Restricted communication from las vegas, nevada actionable award program on 05/20 cd504jaa
Name of Contractor: Las Vegas, Nevada Actionable Award Program%
Reported Confirmed: Alan Litchfield%
Approximate amount of Status Report Entitlement: $3,341, 006.00 * THREE MILLION THREE HUNDRED FORTY ONE THOUSAND AND SIX U.S. DOLLARS*
Entry Contract Status Absolutely Confirmed For Contractee On Record hereinafter referred to as: Alan Litchfield DATE OF DEDICATED CONFIRMED STATUS: 20TH DAY OF MAY
After Recording, Rush Via Prioritized Mail To: Alan Litchfield%Ada, OK 74820
Privileged Privacy Rights Contract Document Attached: To be returned by Alan Litchfield (of utmost priority)
This was followed by a slight disclaimer. Then a perforated attachment asking for a $20 processing fee. Which I remitted by money order. Bright huh? Then I waited.
The next letter I received from P.O. BOX 98855 Las Vegas in the from field read:
PRIORITY COMMUNICATION
FOR SHARER/HOLDER DESIGNATED SERIAL NO. FIRST IN PRIORITY
Senior disbursement placement officer
designated awards from sweepstakes
official business
greetings and congratulations
Written in a font that looked like a military letter. This epistle was framed by a crisp black border. Centered and bracketed at the top of the page in big bold upper case letters it reads, [OFFICIAL] Under that margin justified is a list bulleted with stars that says:
*PRIORITY COMMUNICATION
*FOR SHARER/HOLDER DESIGNATED SERIAL NUMBER
*INSTATED CERTIFIED IN ORDER OF PRIORITY
*INFORMED BY LVAAP
*DESIGNATION AWARDS FROM SWEEPSTAKES CONTESTS
*LVAAP OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Part of this letter reads: GREETINGS AND CONGRATULATIONS Followed by,
Re: Recorded and Reported Awards from Sweepstakes June 7
Over $3,604, 006.00 CLEARED SEALED DATA
This is followed by a letter telling me it's the Disbursement Placement Officer's privilege to inform me that I have won this cash. Followed by a perforated attachment asking me to check boxes verifying my name and residence, confirming my wish to claim the over $3,604, 006.00, and affirming that I've enclosed the Las Vegas agent's fee of $20. (Right. Like I'm going to do that again.)
These letters were followed by ones post marked: Jun 11'05,14'05,14'05,15'05 and one I've ripped the post mark off of. Each in its own distinctive envelope, each telling me that I've won money, and each asking for $20.
I've received nine of these letters from P.O. Box 98855 Las Vegas.
I've received six similar letters from P.O. Box 98835 Las Vegas; and one from P.O. Box 98845 Las Vegas.
Las Vegas, Nevada Actionable Awards Program? Seems apt. I don't see how this could be construed as anything other than out right fraud. Certainly sounds Actionable to me.
Lest you think Vegas is the only city this type of thing is coming from I've compiled a list from other missives I've received. Following are a few other companies, from other cities, the amount they say I've won and the fees they have requested.
(2) Financing Auditing Rights NSCC PO BOX 5328 Ft. Lauderdale, FL $2,700, 000.00 $20
National Awards Commission PO BOX 34692 Kansas City, MO $1,000, 000.00 $11.89
Sweepstakes Clearing House 1555 REGAL ROW Dallas, TX 400.00
(This one is actually a coupon for buying their stuff.)
I even received one by certified mail from:
Operations Claim Agency PO BOX 8188 Ft. Lauderdale, FL. This one says I've won over $20,913, 400.08 and they want $100.00 for fee.
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