I received a letter with the letterhead showing Bay Cities Trust Fund in upper left hand corner of letter with their address being 183 US Highway 41N, Lutz, FL 33549, USA for the bank and an address showing 135 38th St, Calgary AB Y9N 7B8, Canada. The letter stated "Final Winning Notice". Letter stating I won $150, 000 US Dollars that was shared and presented among the other ten declared winners. All participants were selected through a random computer ballot system drawn from over 50, 000 names. I received a ligitimate looking check on both sides for $4, 995.67 deducted from my winnings to enable me to pay the applicable GOVERNMENT TAXES/FEES on my big winning. I am also advised to keep my claim number confidential.
The tax amount is $2, 998.00 and is to be paid by Western Union or Moneygram to the Tax Agent. the Claim Agent is Cindy Howard - Phone number 1-298-888-0036. when called, a recording stating that the phone is too full to leave a message at that time. The letter is signed by Mrs. Tamara Wilson, Promotion/Claim Manger. At the bottom of the Right Hand Side of the page, it has a Lotto Agent Logo with the words "Your Personal Online Lotto Agent" but no website or e-mail address and also with a picture of a cartoon character of a man throwing dollar bills over his head. I never entered any lottery, I contacted the bank, which is a legitimate bank that checks out, but apparently the checks do not clear and the person gets stuck with overdraft fees with their own bank.
Apparently, it takes 10 days for a check to clear an account which gives these theives enough time to do their scam or money laundering. After you deposit a check, the bank usually has to release your funds within 3 business days giving the theives enough time to not make the funds bounce in between the time you deposit, your funds clearing even though you could receive a notice after 10 days stating your account is overdrawn. I beleive this is called "check kiting" As soon as I received it, I knew it was a scam because I have seen so many before. My only hopes are for our countries officials to catch the theives preying on innocent uneducated or unsuspecting people who can not afford to get caught up in this nonsense.
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