New Twist on an Old Scam... A Public Service Post
Imagine my delight to open my mail today to find a "teller's check" for $2,900.00!! Check looks good, watermarks, drawn on a well-known bank. Whoo Hoo!!
Then I read the accompanying letter, it's a total scam. I'm posting about this because I Yahoo searched and Googled all of the names of the organizations listed in the letter. This way, hopefully someone will Google the names and be directed here and not make the mistake of cashing this bum check.
The letter, from Springfield Global Finance Trust (their motto is "To Improve the Way People Live") reads as follows:
This already smells. Sounds like a technically advanced company with its "network system," and how the "system indicates." The grammar just doesn't sound right, even though the company is right here in Nassua Bahamas (another red flag).
We continue:
That is some computer (probably part of the network system), coming up with its own ballot system. Note that none of the names of the publications are capitalized, except for the "Promotions Program," which must mean that the PP is very important.
Here's the good part:
Emphasis theirs.
So they send $2900.00 USD for you to pay off the "States Lottery and Gaming Commission Agency." I've never heard of such a commission or agency. Note how they try to make it sound real offical by using both names.
Here's what happens: You cash the check and make the payment to whoever they tell you to when you call them for further instructions. You make the payment via Western Union or some other form of payment that is untraceable and UNRETRIEVABLE and then the check bounces shortly after. In effect, you are out $2900.00 USD, and the "way that these people live" has been improved.
More...
Yes, don't tell anyone about your winning until the check bounces and we have absconded with your money. You don't want anyone to tell you this was a scam, do you?
Clems? I've been around the block a few times, and I've never heard of anyone named "Clems." And Rose Brown? How generic can you get, other than John Smith?
The phone number you are supposed to call (and the postmark on the envelope) is from somewhere in Ontario, Canada and not the Bahamas.
It's a well-done scam, the letter and the check "look good." I fear that someone out there may fall for it. I hope the bad grammar, the need to send them money, and the lack of any reputable search results on the organizations mentioned will make people think twice about cashing the check.
The scammers must think they have the potential to swindle a few people, the stamp on the envelope (assuming it's not fake) cost $0.93 Canadian.
From the Consumer Fraud Reporting Website:
Feel free to post a comment if you've received this letter, or another like it. Spread the word!!
UPDATE: Here's another link, and, yes, some people fell for various renditions of the same scam:
From RipOffReport.com
Then I read the accompanying letter, it's a total scam. I'm posting about this because I Yahoo searched and Googled all of the names of the organizations listed in the letter. This way, hopefully someone will Google the names and be directed here and not make the mistake of cashing this bum check.
The letter, from Springfield Global Finance Trust (their motto is "To Improve the Way People Live") reads as follows:
After numerous attempts to reach you by phone have failed, we are pleased to inform you through this letter that our network system shows you as the lucky winner of unclaimed prize money in the amount of $29,500 USD. The system indicates that you were selected as a winner for the North American sweepstakes draws.
This already smells. Sounds like a technically advanced company with its "network system," and how the "system indicates." The grammar just doesn't sound right, even though the company is right here in Nassua Bahamas (another red flag).
We continue:
All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from readers digest publishers clearing house, computer games, sweepstakes data base, are from Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North and South America, South Africa and Asia, as this is our international Promotions Program, which is conducted monthy. CONGRATULATIONS!
That is some computer (probably part of the network system), coming up with its own ballot system. Note that none of the names of the publications are capitalized, except for the "Promotions Program," which must mean that the PP is very important.
Here's the good part:
Enclosed is a check of $2950.00 USD {TWO THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS} payable to you and must be deposited into your bank account immediately to pay for your registration with the States Lottery and Gaming Commission Agency, which must be paid before we can release your remaining balance in the amount of $25,222.50 excluding 5% handling charges in the amount of $1327.50 deducted from your total winnings.
Emphasis theirs.
So they send $2900.00 USD for you to pay off the "States Lottery and Gaming Commission Agency." I've never heard of such a commission or agency. Note how they try to make it sound real offical by using both names.
Here's what happens: You cash the check and make the payment to whoever they tell you to when you call them for further instructions. You make the payment via Western Union or some other form of payment that is untraceable and UNRETRIEVABLE and then the check bounces shortly after. In effect, you are out $2900.00 USD, and the "way that these people live" has been improved.
More...
For security purposes and to avoid double claims, we advise that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims have been processed and your money remitted to you.
For further information....contact... Clems Owens or Rose Brown at...
Yes, don't tell anyone about your winning until the check bounces and we have absconded with your money. You don't want anyone to tell you this was a scam, do you?
Clems? I've been around the block a few times, and I've never heard of anyone named "Clems." And Rose Brown? How generic can you get, other than John Smith?
The phone number you are supposed to call (and the postmark on the envelope) is from somewhere in Ontario, Canada and not the Bahamas.
It's a well-done scam, the letter and the check "look good." I fear that someone out there may fall for it. I hope the bad grammar, the need to send them money, and the lack of any reputable search results on the organizations mentioned will make people think twice about cashing the check.
The scammers must think they have the potential to swindle a few people, the stamp on the envelope (assuming it's not fake) cost $0.93 Canadian.
From the Consumer Fraud Reporting Website:
A typical fraud uses these checks to accompany a letter stating that the recipient "won" a lottery. The "winner" is instructed to cash the check and send most of it bank via a Western Union Money Gram or Postal Order, to "pay taxes" or "delivery fees", etc. The victim cashes the check, and wires the money. By the time the fake check bounces, the scammer has receive the money gram (which is irretrievable). The victim now owes his bank for the full amount of the fake check AND may be arrested for passing a bad check and fraud.
If you receive a check in the mail that you are not expecting, DO NOT CASH IT!
Feel free to post a comment if you've received this letter, or another like it. Spread the word!!
UPDATE: Here's another link, and, yes, some people fell for various renditions of the same scam:
From RipOffReport.com
Labels: scam, Springfield Global Finance Trust
posted by Larry in Gibbsville at 3:44 PM
6 Comments:
I was sent a letter as well stating it was from BFS Financial Services. On 8-9-07 imagine my surprise when a check was enclosed for 4,750. I deposited the check. After this a friend that worked at the bank said this had happened quite often and I should not spend the money and pay the return check fee when it bounces. Better to be out of $10 than 4,000.
Miss B LaPorte, Indiana
I was just sent one from Bank of Kirksville! $3999.99 dollars! What a great deal. I can't believe you would even deposit the check. How gullible could you be?
The spelling and grammar was horrible.
what happens of you deposit the check first and it actually clears? Then the funds are yours right? I dont understand how they can scam you if you are actualy given the $. Ive never dealt with this before. It seems stupid to just assume that it is a scam if you take the steps of actually waiting for the check to clear before sending any money.
I received the same letter, with exception that it came from Foremost Financial with address 243 Fifth Avenue, Suite 111 New York, NY 10016 - AND a prize of $100,000. It included a legitimate looking check from JPMorgan Chase Bank for $2,640.00.
My wife and I both laughed when we saw the Claim Specialist's name was " WHITE F ART".
Also funny that the envelope was from Canada with a return address from Louisville CA, the letter was from Foremost Financial in New York,and the check from Foremost Insurance Company.
Thanks to everyone for posting their experience!
John
Anonymous - When the check bounces, the bank goes after YOU to get the money back. They will debit your account or do whatever means necessary to get the money back. It ain't your money until the check clears....
One of the reasons most banks will hold the funds for at least a few days until they have some kind of certainty that the check cleared...But if it didn't, they're coming after you!!
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Susan
http://dclottery.info
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