Complaint Review: English Lottery - British International Lottery - Janeth Oakley - Sophia George

This afternoon I received a check in the mail for $2,996.40. The check is authentic looking and is drawn from an unrelated NY Newspaper who has no idea that these Canadian scammers have their banking info (I verified this by calling the paper).

With the check is a letter entitled "ENGLISH LOTTERY Random Draw Winning Certificate"

It further states:

"After a successful completion of the third category draws on English Lotto, held in London, England, we are pleased to inform you of the official announcement today that you have emerged as one of the winners of the BRITISH 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 internationsl promotions program. Your ticket emerged as a wining ticket and consequently won in the Third Category. You have therefore been awarded a lump sum pay of USD $98,000.00 (NINETY-EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS)in cash, which is the winning payout for third category winners. This is from the prize money of US $2,352,000.00 shared among Twenty (24) international winners in the Third category.

A tax and clearance fee of $2,890.00 has been financed with the enclosed check. Kindly deposit or cash the check to pay for your tax and lcearance fee. Your tax and clearance fee should be remitted to our DESIGNATED NORTH AMERICAN AGENT."

You get the picture.

It goes on about how important it is to contact the agent and, of course, to keep it CONFIDENTIAL.

It is signed by Janeth Oakley, Payment Director and states to contact Sophia George of EUROPAY INVESTMENT INC 624 Pearson St, Suite #808, Calgary, Alberta B3J1J8 tel: 1-902-412-3406.

I know better that this is a scam, but others out there might let emotion override their logic.

DO NOT CASH THIS CHECK IF YOU RECEIVE IT!

Robin
Santa Rosa, California
U.S.A.