On Sept. 25, 2006, I received a letter with the following heading:

ROYAL BRITISH LOTTO
BRITISH RANDOM DRAWS
AWARD CERTIFICATE

The letter states that I 'emerged as one of the winners of the British Random Draws International. Participants were selected through a computer ballot system draw from one million two hundred thousand names (1,200,000) drawn from Asia, Europe and North America.'

The letter further states that I 'have therefore been approved for the lump sum of $115,000.00 USD. This is from a total cash prize of $2,450,500.00 USD shared among (twenty-three) international winners...'

Enclosed in this letter was a check from 'Intervest Construction, Inc.' drawn on Wachovia Bank, in the amount of $2,996.50. The letter states that this check 'is enclosed to enable you finance the international clearance fees of $2,848.70. Your clearance fee should be remitted to our designated North American Agent. Consequently, you will receive a total of $115,500.00 minus $7,854.00 (6.8% Sponsor's Commission). Your agent will give you further details.'

Lastly, the letter's instructions state, 'To begin your lottery claim, contact your claim agent, JOHN ADAMS, of Gateway Financial Management Group at 1808 SPENCER AVE., STE 204, WINNIPEG, MB R3H 0G3, an accredited agency to BRITISH RANDOM LOTTO at TEL: 1-204-952-2048. Note that all prize money must be claimed no later than OCTOBER 9, 2006. Ensure you contact your agent for the ACTIVATION AND AUTHORISATION of your check.'

I did call John Adams, who instructed me to deposit the check that was enclosed in the letter. He further stated that once this check cleared, I was to send a check in the amount of $2,848.80, via Western Union or Money Gram, to Susan Dale at 2055 Jane St., Toronto, Ontario H2B#1L#4. I would then receive a confirmation number from Western Union or Money Gram. I would then need to call John Adams and give him the confirmation number, which would then authorize John Adams to release my check in the amount of $115,500.00.

I deposited the check into my Checking Account on September 29, 2006. On September 30, 2006, I received a phone call from John Adams, asking me if I had deposited the check. I told him that I had just deposited it that day. After I hung up, I then started to become suspicious. I called my bank on Monday, October 2, 2006 and asked if the check that I had deposited on September 29, 2006 (in the amount of $2,996.50) had cleared. I was informed that the check had indeed cleared. I then became confused about this and then decided to do some research on the internet. And, this is where I am, currently.

I don't know what I should do next. Are my finances in any danger at this point? Should I close my accounts? I hope that I am not too late.

I would greatly appreciate any help that you can offer me.

Thank You,
Brenda Cavallero

Brenda
ASton, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.