When Daniel Larsen of Pleasanton got a letter from a Canadian company called Saatchi & Saatchi, he thought he had hit the jackpot — literally.
Enclosed in the envelope was a check for $4,900 and a letter saying this was just the start of a much bigger payday.
"It said I had won $250,000," said the 45-year-old painting contractor. "And the ($4,900) check looked so real, I really thought I may have for a minute."
However, as Larsen continued to read the letter, the company explained how he would need to wire $2,950 to the New Foundland company via Western Union or Money Gram to pay Canadian taxes on his winnings.
"At that point, I kind of had a gut feeling this was a fraud," said Larsen, who believed he may have had a slight chance of real winnings thanks to some Canadian lottery tickets he believes he purchased a few years ago. "I called up the company and someone said he was 'Paul Newman,' and at that point I was pretty sure it was a fake."
Larsen received the check on Thursday, and checked the company with the FBI on Friday. He was directed to PhoneBusters, a Canadian anti-fraud call center jointly operated by the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
"There's a lot of scams out there," said Barry Elliott, a detective and staff sergeant for the Ontario Provincial police and coordinator of PhoneBusters. "The lotto scam is just one of them, and it attacks people of all ages."
Elliott said lottery scams are not new, but there are some new twists to the old schemes. However, the basic principle is still the same — some unknown company sends a letter saying you've won, often times along with a check for thousands of dollars. While the checks may look real, it's all part of a scam to part you with your money.
Elliott said in 2005, PhoneBusters received complaints of 11,000 attempts of prize fraud and were contacted by 12,195 victims who lost $59 million from scams. In January of this year alone, PhoneBusters has received complaints of 1,000 attempts of fraud and have been in touch with 882 victims who lost a total of $5 million.
Elliott said it is important to remember when being contacted by such scams that a real lottery would not ask for anyone to send them money.
"The best advice is if you see what you think is a scam, just throw it away," said Elliott, who added that those attempting to cash a fraudulent check also can be prosecuted with a crime. "Don't respond, don't do anything. Just throw it away."
What would happen, if you just took the check, cashed it, and walked away. (Yes, I know, they usually bounce). The worse you be out is the fee, the best would be a couple of grand in your account. They sure wouldn't sue you for the money back!
What would have happened is probably the check would have bounced or turned out to be invalid.. but for a brief time would look like it was in his account. The scammers want you to draw against those (temporary) funds to pay them the "taxes". He would have ended up owing the bank the amount of the check and the scammers might have gotten the "taxes" as real money and either disappear or ask for yet more.
I can't believe, since this old trick has been around since Al Gore invented the internet, that people still fall for this.
"The best advice is if you see what you think is a scam, just throw it away," said Elliott, who added that those attempting to cash a fraudulent check also can be prosecuted with a crime. "Don't respond, don't do anything. Just throw it away."
I have seen several frauds, the latest was a practically new Acura MDX on Ebay for $2900. We responded and were prompted to send money to London via Western Union. I guess scammers always use Western Union or Money Order. Needless to say I wanted to have this guy arrested but don't know how. I do know extradition from England is super easy.
They're offer millions of dollars for some guy hiding in a cave in Afganistan, namely Osma Bin Laden. (Which is gotta be the last place I would want to exist!) What do you get for turning in a scam artist? A pat on the back and a dog bisquit?
YES! Finally someone has caught
these
SCAMMERS! Yes, Yes, Yes
Now Feed'em to the Lions!
Now Feed'em to the Lions!
What would happen, if you just took the check, cashed it, and walked away. (Yes, I know, they usually bounce). The worse you be out is the fee, the best would be a couple of grand in your account. They sure wouldn't sue you for the money back!
What would have happened is probably the check would have bounced or turned out to be invalid.. but for a brief time would look like it was in his account. The scammers want you to draw against those (temporary) funds to pay them the "taxes". He would have ended up owing the bank the amount of the check and the scammers might have gotten the "taxes" as real money and either disappear or ask for yet more.
I can't believe, since this old trick has been around since Al Gore invented the internet, that people still fall for this.
Finally someone who was'nt duped..... Good for him..!
The news isn't that good. The scammers didn't get caught, arrested, and reamed up the butt in in the prison shower like they deserve.
"The best advice is if you see what you think is a scam, just throw it away," said Elliott, who added that those attempting to cash a fraudulent check also can be prosecuted with a crime. "Don't respond, don't do anything. Just throw it away."
Just throw it away and it means no work for me!
I have seen several frauds, the latest was a practically new Acura MDX on Ebay for $2900. We responded and were prompted to send money to London via Western Union. I guess scammers always use Western Union or Money Order. Needless to say I wanted to have this guy arrested but don't know how. I do know extradition from England is super easy.
They're offer millions of dollars for some guy hiding in a cave in Afganistan, namely Osma Bin Laden. (Which is gotta be the last place I would want to exist!) What do you get for turning in a scam artist? A pat on the back and a dog bisquit?
I don't understand. How can anyone fall for lotto scammers? You have to buy a ticket to win!!!
I don't understand. How can anyone fall for lotto scammers? You have to buy a ticket to win!!!
GREAT HANDLE!
I love it!
Thanks Chewie =)