I received a letter informing me I had won $150,000 U.S. I contacted the signer, Michael Stone who told me the enclosed check for $3,938.96 was valid and to deposit it in my account. I was told to phone him for further instructions on how SSG would distribute my winnings after I made my deposit.
I suspected a scam and then went online to trace the bank tracking number on the check and to verify that the bank (Citibank Delaware) really existed and match my tracking number search to that bank. The tracking number was untraceable.
I attempted to bring the matter to the attention of bank employees at Citibank Delaware, but go nowhere. So, I hand delivered the paperwork to a local Citibank in my city. That bank manager was familiar with what I disclosed.
Apparently, it is a way for SSG to gain knowledge about my account numbers from the bank's stamp on the negotiated check that will be returned to SSG.
I checked on their account. One exists, but is "blocked." I am not sure what that means.
I also checked with domestic and international phone companies in order to trace the 780 prefix. It appears to be a cell phone number. An alternate address might be 55 Queens Street, Windsor, Ontario N6J3B4, Canada. Queens Street is the location of a large commercial/retail complex with no record of SSG as a tenant.
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