consumer protection agency/publishers international scams Robert Cruz, Consumer Protection Agency and Frank with Publishers International Received call that I had won $750,000 from a sweepstakes back in 2021 and funds were never claimed Richmond, Washington Virginia, DC

I received a call on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, around 10:25am from Robert Cruz, he said he was affiliated with Consumer Protection Agency in Richmond, VA (804) 404-8280, stating that I had won $750,000 from a sweepstakes dating back to 2021 that was never claimed. 

He said they were about to close the file because they have not be able to reach me regarding these funds.  He instructed me to contact Pubishers International in Washington, DC at 866-978-0720 and give them the claim number for the prize he had given me. 

I spoke with someone by the name of Frank and he told me he would have to fax over all the information to Robert Cruz at Consumer Protection Agency concerning this prize and I was to call Robert Cruz back and he would give me final instructions.

I again contracted Robert Cruz and he said he received all the info he needed concerning my winnings.  He told me I would have to pay 1% of the prize winnings to an insurance company he named, which was $7,500 because the money had to be insured. 

I told him I did not have $7,500, not even $75, to send to something or someone I am not sure of.  As far as I am concerned, give the prize to someone else.  He said he could not do that and he would contact some lending agency to see if they could cover the funds.  I told him that would be ok if they cover the funds and it had to be 100% covered because I was not sending anything.  

Mr. Cruz called me back and said the agency he mentioned to me would cover $6,500 and I would have to come up with only $1,000.  I told him again, I am living on a fixed income and I cannot send them anything. 

He made the stupid statement that if I receive enough money to cover my living expenses I can send the $1,000 after all I am going to receive $750,000.  My response to him again was no because I do not know who you are and if this is legal.  I am not going to take that chance.

I have not heard from him again and I do not think I will.  It's a shame how these scammers rip people off because they think they are getting something for nothing.  I had not entered a sweepstakes, first of all, and it does not make sense to me to send them money if I have won money.  Whatever fees are involved, take it out of the money I have won and send me the balance.

**People please be aware of these scammers.  They make it sound so real**