Meridian Financial, INC Meridian Financial Sweepstake and Lottery Draw Scam Toronto, Ontario

Hi All -

Be aware of this scam.
I received a letter on the mail stating that I was one of the winners of the second category of Sweepstake and Lottery Draw hold on June 1st, 2008. And that I was entitled to the sum of US $450,000.00 payable by bank draft or certified check.
They enclosed a check for $4,500.00 claiming that it is to help you pay for the Non Resident Government Service Tax (GST). They ask you to pay US $2,980.00 by Money Gram in order to process the rest of your prize.
In the letter I got, they listed a bank called AT&T Family FCU.
Both Meridian Financial and the bank do not exist. DO NOT cash the check and DO NOT send them any money. It is a big scam. The check will bounce and you will liable for it.

Thanks a lot to the people that reported this scam before me. They helped me realize that it was indeed a scam because the check looks almost real. Thankfully I did not lose any money but it cough my attention for a few minutes.
Remember: THERE IS NO FREE MONEY!

I will notify my bank about this scam just in case.
Regards,

-Will
California, USA.

Will
Santa Barbara, California
U.S.A.