Complaint Review: ropak financial claims consultants

Yesterday, I received a U.S.A. postal delivery in a plain white envelope with a return address of 5417 Maple Rd, Congress Lake, OH., 44568, with a Canadian stamp and postal mark.  The envelope and contents were sent on 12/11/09.

Upon opening the envelope, my eyes were drawn to a check for $3300.00, to be drawn on Bank Of The West, Newport Beach #634, 4400 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach, CA, 92660.

The enclosed correspondence claimed that I was the "lucky winner of Unclaimed prize money in the amount of THIRTY-NINE Thousand Dollars (39,000,000) in United States Funds."

The letter states that I am a third placed winner in an international sweepstakes and was chosen through a computerized ballot system.  I was chosen due to "data collected from consumer shopping records from various stores during the past holiday season, online Sweepstakes and Internet Games etc...."

The enclosed, $3300.00, check is intended to cover the administrative taxes (?)and clearance fees (?) of my winnings.  I am further directed "to contact your agent MIKE SMITH OR SANDRA BROWN immediately at 1 866-925-7999 OR 1 514-568-7458."  The winnings must be claimed by December 24, 2009.

I'm also advised to keep the provided claim number "confidential secured until your claim is processed and funds remitted, as this is part of our protocol."

The letter is signed by Sandy Rodney.

The letterhead states - Ropak Financial Claims Consultants A Division Of Ropak Packaging Inc.  I performed a Google search on "Ropak Packaging Inc" located in Fountain Valley, CA  92708.  Ropak Packaging Inc., does, in fact, exist.  My next order of action is to contact Ropak Packaging Inc, the USPS, the WA State Attorney General and the Canadian Postal service. 

I did not contact the "agent" which I was directed to do.  I can smell a rat a mile away. 

I will update my findings, progress and actions as I progress.