Lottery scam?

[cashqueen]

Anyone heard of an international lottery scam? I just got home and there is a real live check for $2,999.50 made out to me. The check name and address is from American Contractors Indemnity Co in Los Angeles, CA. Says Member of HCC Surety Group with a telephone number. I looked up the company in the yellow pages and it is under Bonds-Surety & Fidelity.

It came with a letter that is a Certificate of Award from World Wide Lotto Inc. It states:

After a successful completion of the third category draws of The World Wide Lotto, held at Geneva Switzerland, we are pleased to inform you of the official announcement today that you have emerged one of the winners of the WORLD WIDE INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY PROGRAMS, which is part of our promotional draws. Participants were selected through a ballot system drawn from 8,000,000 names and addresses of individuals who previously signed for the North American Sweepstakes as part of our International Promotions Program. Your name emerged as one of the winners and consequently won in the Third Category. You have therefore been awarded a lump sum pay out of USD $65,000, which is the winning payout for third category winners. This is from the total prize money of USD$12,000,000 shared among the international winners in the Third category.

A tax and clearance fee of $2,999.00 has been financed with the enclosed check, kindly deposit or cash the check to pay for your tax and clearance fee. You will receive a total of ($62,001.00) (side note - why is this amount in parentheses?) minus $2,999 for the TAX. Your agent will elaborate more on that.

PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOUR WINNINGS BEFORE OCTOBER 2ND 2006, OTHERWISE WE WILL ASSUME THAT YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED IN YOUR WINNINGS, THANK YOU.

PLEASE CONTACT PERTER ANDERSON OF [deleted]

Frederick Jenkins (Prize Director)


Now I sign up for sweepstakes, etc. What kind of scam could this be? Any possible chance it's legit. No way am I cashing this check unless I find out it's real. Anyone heard of this?

[Great to be Debt Free]

Sorry, I can't be of any help -- it does sound fishy.... but there is a phone number (too bad it's in switzerland -- I have a friend there, we don't talk much because its expensive-- but thats the right country code)

[cashqueen]

After researching, the phone number on the check is in Ontario. If I look up HCC Surety Group in the yellow pages it has a different phone number. I'm sure it's a scam but should I report it to someone? The phone number on the check is an Ontario exchange. And the bank the check is drawn from is Wells Fargo (Ohio address). I'm wondering if American Contractors Indemnity Co/Hcc Surety Group (from their website seems like a legit co) know that their names are on these checks. I might call the number for them that I get from the yellow pages tomorrow.

I read about a similar scam. What they want you to do is cash the check and send them another check. Of course the check they sent is bogus (it looks REAL) and then you are out the $$. Another fishy thing...the check is for 2999.50 and the letter states 2999.00. The check has water marks and the original document thing on the back. Pretty good fake check.

[PrincessPerky]

I think you could call wells fargo(happens to be my mortgage co .) if they supposedly issued the check.. they aught to know, weather to confirm its a fake, or to possibly sue......

based on the whole 'send us back our fee' I am with you on thinking it is a fake....

[Crystallas]

You accept a loan for the amount that the check is written. Then you pay it back however the fine print says you need to. The rest of the money is a lure and reel, as its not guaranteed in any way. Im 99% sure this is a scam.

Now im 99.5% sure its a scam. The Max prize that world wide lotto gives out is only $10,000.

[safari]

I agree with the previous poster. Notice that the text in the letter said that the amount was "financed". In other words, it's a loan that you have to pay back. There is probably a fineprint that is hardly readable where it talks about the interest, which is likely greater than 20% APR.

[poundwise]

It is absolutely 100% scam and is frequently reported to consumer groups.

Consumer Jungle

You could try reporting it to your postmaster, since it is mail fraud or you could just dump the whole thing in the trash. Additionally, you could report the, no-doubt, counterfeit check to the FDIC.

[LuxLiving]

Also you might want to alert your local news media...they usually like to inform the community that these types of checks/scams are showing up in your area.

[DayByDay]

American Contractors Indemnity/HCC Surety Group is a legit company. (We have a contractor bond through them.) The letter sure smells like a scam though.

[Duchesse]

Why didn't they just send you the $62,001? It's a scam.

[Saving in So Cal]

Your local district attorney/attorney general/city attorney/prosecutor should have a consumer fraud section. You should report it to them.