Well it appears the 'too good to be true, you won the lottery scam' is still being run. How sad because there are folks that are really desperate right now.
I was smart enough to come to this site first but I must admit, receiving a check (very real looking) for $4850 and being told there is more does get one's blood pumping faster, especially in these hard economic times. But thanks to all who have posted here who were previous recipients of this bogus bull.
From everything I read on previous posts these scammers have made a few changes but their modus operandi is still the same. Here's what the letter reads:
There is the return Address in the upper left corner for Meridian Financial Services in Toronto, Ontario Canada, then the date. A Claim No. And then Sir/Madam,
We are pleased to inform you that you are one of the declared winners of NORTH AMERICAN LOTTERY INC held on July 20th in the 2nd catefory. Ticket Serial NO 50671 drew the luck winning NO. 70770.
You are therefore entitled to the sum of $100,00 US Dollars (bold and underlined!). This is from total prize money of $500,000 US Dollars that was shared and presented among the other 4 declared winners. Please note that all participants were selected through a random computer ballot system drawn from over 50,000 names from Canada and the US (yep, no period)
In accordance with our disbursement policy, your claim number has been assigend to our North American Claims Affiliate, Mr. Adams Gaja. Your claim number must be kept private to avoid a double claim (again no period & isn't that interesting that the claim No must be kept private? There's a clue that this is bogus!)
ENCLOSED IS A CHECK IN THE AMOUNT OF $4850.00 US DOLLARS, WHICH IS PART OF YOUR WINNING BEING SENT TO YOU TO ENABLE YOU PAY FOR THE APPLICABLE GOVERNMENT TAXES (these two words are large font and bold!) on your winning. (This para was typed in all caps just like I have it here)
You are required to pay a total sum of $3800.00 (THREE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS) for the Government Tax (they underlined these two words). This amount to be paid either by MONEYGRAM or WESTERN UNION. (again larger font and underlined. The entire para is in CAPS! And written as I have it here.)
When the winning is processed, you will receive your final check in (bold and underlined) a lump some (yep, that's how it is spelled) payment of $95,150.00 (underlined) will be sent to you and delivered by FedEX OR UPS (no period)
You are advised to contact your claim agent immediately for further clarification as indicated within 5 business days.
Office Hours-Monday to Satuday-9.00 am to 9.00 pm. Sunday-Closed
Mr Adams Gaja 1-289-892-3282
(CLAIM AGENT)
Congratulations
Yours Truly
Mrs. Mora Goland (Promotion Manager).
Okay the snide comments in () are mine. Otherwise you can see how poorly the letter is written. I think what gets most people to overlook the letter is the fact that the check looks so real.
So about the check I received. The name in the upper left corner of the check is 4 Rasul Enterprises, LLC McDonalds P.O. Box 2774 Cavington, GA 30015 and the check is from SUNTRUST but no address. I researched Rasul Enterprises and it is in fact legitimate business (however no '4' in front of it) and is in fact associated with McDonalds. However not in Cavington, GA, but Covington GA. So they didn't even get that spelling correct. I must admit after looking at the check some more, the signature looks bogus for sure and there is no 'typed' name for the person who signed the check.
Unlike some of the other posters on this topic, I did call and I did speak to this (perported) Adams Gaja before I did all this research. I said, "how do I know this is not a scam?" and he said, well you got the check didn't you, to pay the taxes." Anyway my instructions were to deposit the check, then call him when I did so, and he would tell me where to send the $3800 TAX payment. I said okay, sure. Then I came in here and checked out all this on RIPOFF. GLAD I DID!
Oh and the envelope: Canada stamp my name and address on a label but no return address. (Another hint that something is wrong with this picture!)
I also suspect that if one did deposit the check, it will bounce, but they also have a good shot at getting your bank account info. I have not seen a post on this since March so maybe they stopped for awhile. But beware, it is back.
I plan on reporting this to the Texas Attorney General as well.
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