Complaint Review: Atlantic Lottery - Nakano Aviation - Horizon Bank

I received an "Award Claim Final Notification" letter dated 5/8/07. The letterhead indicated it was from the Atlantic Lottery Corporation stating "we have made many unsuccessful attempts to contact you" and that I, along with six other "declared winners" had won a total of $1,440,000.00 U.S. dollars and that my winnings were in the amount of $262,000.00.

Inserted in the letter was a Cashier's Check, dated 5/8/07, in the amount of $4,922.00 (deducted from my winnings), issued from the Horizon Bank located at 1500 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA, with my name and the name of Raymond Ovarlet as the Remitter. These funds would be partially used to expedite the processing and pay the applicable taxes in the amount of $2,850.00 sent via MoneyGram or Western Union. The check looked absolutely authentic, watermark and all.

Upon further reading, the letter explained that according to ALC's disbursement policy, the prize money had been forwarded to Nakano Aviation, Inc., their clearing/disbursement institution. In order for my funds to be released to me either by certified check, money order or a wire transfer to my designated local bank account of which I would provide, I was to contact the Claims/Disbursement Agent, Mr. Brown Smith at 416-856-3574. I was not to do anything with this cashier's check until I spoke with Mr. Brown Smith for further clarification and instructions on claiming my winnings.

I contacted Mr. Brown Smith and he requested that I go to the bank and deposit the check and call him again the next day, Thursday, and that I should receive my total winnings by Friday.

To make a long story short. I did not deposit the check, instead I reseached the net for ALC which reports this scam on its website and gives a number to call and report this scam, which turns out to be the Canadian Police "Phone Busters" at 888-495-8501. Nakano Aviation, Inc. is just that, a Japanese aviation company, bogusly used. Bank Horizon is an official banking institution located at the address on the check and when I called them they rushed me off the phone stating there was nothing to be done and hung up. You would think they would have been more helpful and given the toll free number above for victims (which they are as well) and potential victims to report this crime.

The Canadian Police were very happy to take my report and suggested that I call my local police department to file a report and to give them my Canadian file number. They also stated that now that these criminals have my phone number and address I would probably be getting more scams passed on to me and asked me to contact the local media to make others aware of this scam. The Canadian Polic also stated that the cashier's checks were stolen and that the original name was removed and mine inserted.

The LAPD, Financial Crime Division, was just as laxidasical as the Horizon Bank stating that the criminals were in Canada and it was up to the Mounties to apprehend these despots. I replied by asking if it did not matter that the victims of these crimes were U.S. citizens or the checks being used were of a U.S. financial institution? The detective said I could bring in the evidence and they would book it but that was all that would be done or I could just shred the evidence. I then inquired, doesn't the LAPD talk with the Canadian Police or is this an FBI affair? And, I further stated that since 9/11, I was very concerned that law enforcement agencies speak to each other and share information. I was blown off.

So, that is my report and experience with international financial crime. And, it it is too good to be true it probably its. Be Aware.

Lavanah
Los Angeles, California
U.S.A.