Complaint Review: Euro International Lotto - North American Sweepstakes

I was sent a letter telling me I had won $65,000 and a check for $1,965.50 which I was told was meant to pay the taxes and clearance fees for the prize. I called the agent whose number was on the letter (Francis Douglas) and he told me to cash the check and then call back and he would tell me where to send the money to pay the taxes and clearance fees. When I asked where I would be sending this money, he told me he couldn't tell me until it was verified that the check was cashed. This was supposedly to verify that I was who I said I was. The check looked legitimate and had a company name (OMDUSA, Inc., supposedly out of New York bt with an Ontario phone number and a bogus address - I checked) and the Chase Manhattan Bank insignia printed on it. But guess what? When I called Chase to verify funds I was informed the account was bogus and the check was a fake. If I had cashed this check and sent the money, I would be out $1,965.50 when the check bounced. If you get a check from this comany call the bank that is supposedly involved and double-check. I ended up faxing a copy of the check and the letter to Chase so they can go after these idiots. If it sounds too good to be true...IT IS!!!

Jessica
Lombard, Illinois
U.S.A.