Capstone National Securities DE-LOTTO NORTH AMERICAN SWEEPSTAKES LOTTERY- WINNER OF 125,000. HERE IS THE FIRST CHECK OF 4,975 TO COVER THE COST OF GOVERNMENT TAXES Toronto Ontario

This is a variation on the ''overpayment by check scam''.

Someone sends you a ''check''. Note how it's UNDER $5000. This is to stop red flags going up at the bank, who will hold any amount $5000 or greater.

You're asked to send back an amount, whatever it is to cover ''taxes''. A legitimate lottery of this type is NOT AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT TAXES IN THE NAME OF THE GOVERNMENT. That's for the tax department to do directly once the company/entity running the sweepstakes or lottery submits the proper, authorized paperwork regarding your winnings to the appropriate government entity.

A LEGITIMATE ''LOTTERY'' OR ''SWEEPSTAKES'' WILL NEVER REQUIRE YOU TO ''PAY'' TO COLLECT YOUR WINNINGS. It's illegal.

Note that you've been asked to render payment VIA WESTERN UNION TYPE SERVICE ONLY, which is done ot get around USPS fraud statutes, and that you have also been told to keep your ''winning'' HUSH HUSH. This is a HUGE tip off.

In the end, you are left with a WORTHLESS piece of paper that will not only pay the scammer, but leave you in big trouble with the bank, as they will demand, once the ''check'' (which is a forgery) doesn't clear after 7 - 14 days, and you will have to pay them back the entire amount PLUS any/all fees associated with hanging the bad paper on them.

Turn these turds into the appropriate authorities.

Where is the rip off ??? All that you have done is to relay the contents of a letter. HOW were you ripped off ??? What happened ??? You seem to have left out ALL of the pertinent information. How about filing a COMPLETE report outlining all of the information about the rip off ????? Geeeeezzzzz.