FRAUD ALERT - DON't BECOME A VICTIM

ALERT! ALERT! ALERT!!!
"Congradulations" "You've won $53,000,000. in the Euro-American Sweepstakes".. This is the begining of the surprise winnings. Now follow the instructions in the attached letter.

The letter provides a Code # and an 800 telephone number to contact Ms. Dawson. The letter goes on to instruct you to call, then it explains that you need to pay $2600. for Income Tax against the $53 million that you will receive.

The letter also included a check in the amount of $3900.+ which you are instructed to deposit into your account, then send the $2600 tax payment back to the fund.

When calling the 800 number, a male voice identified as Patrick (Island or African accent) claimed that you have won the $53 million and that you must follow the instructions in order to receive your sweepstakes money. The check was drawn on a company check entitled; "C.T. International" located at 60 E. 42 Street, NYC.

The check is made out to the potential victim, and was drawn on an account in HSBC Bank.

The instructions further explained that Ms. Dawson would further instruct where to send the tax payment.

Analysis:

After careful examination it was determined the envelope that the letter was delivered via U.S. Post Office, originated in Ontario, Canada. The corporation was not registered in the State of New York, nor at the address listed on the check. It was also determined that the telephone number offered in the letter was register in Ontario, Canada.

A visit to the local HSBC Bank Branch, discovered that the checking account number did not exist, however the routing number was that of an HSBC Branch in Queens, NY.

THREE PROBABILITIES WOULD HAPPEN! They are;

1st...Deposit into your personal bank account would give the scammers access to your personal checking account particulars, name, number, location. They already had your home address and full name.This would give them an opportunity to estalish a false identity of you..raid your bank account, withdraw your personal savings and establish a new identity of you. Within days, your false identity would have new credit card charges, auto purchase and even a possible mortgage. Except you won't be aware until it is discovered by a bank employee or you getting a dunning notice on overdue payment some two months later.

2nd... You transact the check, withdraw the money from your account, afterall who can't use $3900..then your account goes overdrawn within a few days, your bank notifies you that your account is in arrears, you sent the $2600. to the scammers, and used the balance for paying your personal bills, now you are in debt for $3900. The $3900 HSBC check bounced.

3rd... You get a knock on the door from your local police, a bank security officer, or the FBI.. You explain the situation, but you transacted the check, withdrew the money and the check was probably stolen or a counterfeit. You will have your bank account closed, and possibly face criminal charges.

"IF IT LOOKS TOO GOOD, WALK AWAY"

This was reported to the U.S. Postal Inspectors and HSBC Bank..todate..NO RESPONSE...not too surprised...not important enough, too little of an amount, when banks suffer losses in the millions from scams like this...Postal Inspectors are to busy...