ATP Global Financial Group of Publishers Sweepstakes Aetna Global Financial Group of Publishers Sweepstakes (other reports filed under this name) Lottery prize of $85,000 with check enclosed for $2980.00, drawn on Chase Bank of Texas, allegedly for "fees." Aldergrove , British Columbia

I received a letter that appears to be written by someone whose English is a second language. It informs me I am a winner in an international promotions/prize sweepstakes lottery program. It says they attempted to notify me by phone, and that the "draw" was held 9/13/10 in Las Vegas, and cites a ticket number and serial number. (I never bought or registered for such a ticket.) I have won the lottery prize in "the FIRST category of $85,000-DOLLARS."

To claim my prize, there are fees of $2980. A business check is enclosed, payable to me, for $2980. The face of the check identifies the issuing company as ATP Oil & Gas Corporation, 4600 Post Oak Place, Houston, TX 77027, and it is drawn on Chase Bank of Texas. I am told an amount representing 10% will be deducted from my cash prize to repay these fees. "All copy of the payment must be faxed to us by 1-866-542-2218," the letter says, and a reference number is included.

Before cashing the check, I am to call Ms. Laura Gibson to confirm receipt. Her number, which I have traced to Quebec Province, is 450-369-0820.  This number is very close to the phone number listed in the similar Aetna Financial Group scam letter described elsewhere on this website, and the process appears to be identical. 

This could be a money-laundering scam, or an attempt at identity theft.  In another similar report on this site, the victim deposited the check, which bounced, and the perpetrators used his identification on the back of the check to open accounts in his name and steal money.