Has anyone recieved a letter from Global Union Sweepstakes with an enclosed check in the amount of $2975.00?

Question

Is this a scam

Answer 1

These increasingly common "international" lottery scams are a new variant of the old 'advance fee' frauds. Do not cash it - even if your bank initially accepts the check, this is no guarantee of authenticity and you will be held liable if the check is later shown to be phony.

here's a description of the scheme from the Better Business Bureau: http://www.stlouis.bbb.org/news111604.html

November 16, 2004

The Consumer Fraud Task Force, a joint task force of federal and state law enforcement agencies and the Better Business Bureau (BBB), urges consumers to use caution if they receive unsolicited checks in the mail.

Such checks may include foreign lottery winnings or fees, checks in excess of auction bids for Internet items, or requests from a foreign business or individual for help in depositing a check or re-mailing a check in the United States.

Members of the Task Force said they have noted an increase in consumer complaints regarding the receipt of fraudulent checks in recent months.

In one scenario, consumers are informed that they have won a foreign lottery and are provided a legitimate looking check to help pay fees involved in collecting their larger winnings.

The consumer deposits the check in his or her bank account and then withdraws some or all of the money to cover these fees and send the money via commercial wire transfer to the lottery operator.

A few days later, the bank discovers that the check is phony and informs the consumer that the monies previously extracted and wired to Canada or overseas must be repaid.

Remember, even if your bank initially accepts the check, this is no guarantee of authenticity and you will be held liable if the check is later shown to be phony. Unfortunately for the consumer, the wired money will be safely in the hands of the fraudster.

Another variation involves a consumer attempting to sell a high dollar item online, such as a car or motorcycle. In this instance the purported purchaser sends a check in excess of the asking price.

The seller deposits the check and refunds the purchaser the excess amount. Again, the original check sent is found to be a fraud and the seller is out the money refunded to the purchaser.

Nobody is immune from these offers. In September 2004 Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon himself received a phony check for $5,000 payable to him.

Recently, a complainant to the BBB reported depositing $10,000 in money orders into her account, which the bank allowed her to cash. The bank then determined the money orders to be fraudulent and is holding the consumer liable.

Postal inspectors were contacted by three consumers who questioned the authenticity of checks totaling over $87,000 received to pay fees on foreign lottery winnings. In two instances, contact with the issuing banks determined the checks were counterfeit.

The third consumer received an $80,000 "certified" check drawn on a U.S. bank. She was instructed to cash the check and mail $60,000 in fees to the lottery operators (in Canada) before receiving her lottery winnings of $400,000.

Because of actions by the bank, the $80,000 check failed to clear and a substantial loss to the consumer was prevented.

Whether you are offered payment for something you are selling or winning a lottery or any other number of variations, remember: if you are asked to cash a check and then send money back, chances are it is a scam.

Answer 2

If you won a sweepstakes that you did not enter .... this is a scam.

Answer 3

A cheque is a promisory note. If someone gives it to you, they are bound to honor it... but...there are always..."terms and conditions" so probably a scam

Answer 4

If you are dumb enough to cash this then you deserve whatever crazy services and goods they will send in the mail and charge you for. If something is too good to be true, it probably is.

Answer 5

yep...don't even cash it, however, to confirm....take it to your local bank manager....they can give you the details of most scams.