Barclay Finance Corporation
Freund Container - Berlin Packaging - Trip Reward Notifcation - North American Holiday Travel Reward Promotions, Lottery ripoff Halifax

I received a letter in the mail on March 10, which is dated February 22 from Barclay Finance Corporation (Bahamas), notifying me that I have won the "lottery" in the North American Holiday Travel Reward Promotions/Lottery Program held on February 20. Enclosed is a check for $2,290.00, which iss to cover the processing and tax clearance fee on the $24,900.00 that I won with a Bahamas Cruise.

Once I deposit this check into my account, and it clears, I am to send a gentleman in Canada (I have a name and address)$2,700.00, and the will send me the balance of $21,910.00 that I can use for this all inclusive 6-day 5 night cruise to the Bahamas, aboard Imperial Majesty Cruise line's flagship, the MV Regal Empress - or I can spend the money however I choose.

What strikes me as suspicious is first of all. There is no return address on the envelope, the post mark is from Canada, and who sends a $2,290.00 check through the US/Canadian mail without it being Certified Mail?) Second, the letterheadsupposedly from a Barclay Finance Corporation in the Bahamas, signed by an Accounts Manager looks color-photocopied. Last, but not least, the check is from a company called Freund Container, located in Chicago, Illinois.

About the only information I can gather on the Internet, is that this Freund Container is a bottling distribution company clearinghouse, and I cannot get a contact # there to find out of this check is legitimate. The signature is inlegible and there is no printed name to indicate who may have signed it. Other than that it looks quite legitimate.

The Claims Manager that I spoke with (name & phone # provided in the letter) said I am to send a Money Gram for $2,700.00 to a gentleman in Toronto, and he will then send me the remaining $21,910.00 via UPS, as well as information on the cruise, which will require my signature and 2 forms of ID. I have a final claim date of March 19 before my prize is forfeited.

I would love to work with someone to work through this scam (?) and either catch these SOB's or make some $!!! Has anyone else received letters to this affect? My bank says it's a SCAM and the local police department is not interested unless I have acted on it. I would think the FBI would want to be involved as this crosses International boundaries. Any valid responses will be greatly appreciated.

Company: Barclay Finance Corporation
Country: Bahamas
Address: 745 Mountain View

  <     >