I also received a "winner's letter" from Pacific Lottery Corporation with an official looking check for $4, 955.00, on 10/27/08.
Check issued by United Commercial Bank - from The Pacific Institute Incorporation, Seattle, WA. Called the banks' Customer Service 800 number to verify but United C. Bank was an enabler they would not tell me if the check was legit. They said only that the banking number was correct and they couldn't give me any more information - strange.
I waited until the actual local branch that issued the check opened - Pacific Time. The actual branch was much better and more professional. They knew the check amount before I mentioned it and they confirmed that this is an on-going scam which they've been working to get the criminals arrested. Of course, United Commercial Bank did not say what they were doing but they reiterated that they are working on stopping this scam
Way the Scam works - when you deposit the bad check you're then have to wire said criminals a moneygram via Wal-Mart to pay the taxes of your winnings - before they send you your winnings. (Red flag here). The tax is stated on the letter, $3, 975.00. Since you deposited a bad check and used a wire moneygram, you are responsible to your bank for the entire $3, 975.00 ouch. Pretty creative actually.
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