SANDFREE GLOBAL FINANCIAL SERVICES ripoff by US Mail with a "good-looking" check for $2,380 on a $50,000 award Check is NOT GOOD as per First Citizens Bank,NA in Canton NC however the victim company BLUE RIDGE PAPER PRODUCTS INC is authentic VANCOUVER British Columbia

he letter stated their explanation of their role was that "...Part of our job is to locate, inform and educate you of my winnings...." In addition they advised that ".... International Law guiding the collection of cash prizes requires that a winner pays processing/clearance fees before the funds are released. The Law also prevents you from paying with your personal money but from your winning amount...".

However, they confused me in the letter with the following wording:
"...Enclosed herewith, please find a check made payable to you for the amount of two thousand three hunderd and eighty dollars ($2,380.00) USD. This amount will be deducted from your winning amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00). The balance of forty seven thousand, six hundred and twenty dollars ($47,620.00) will be paid out to you after the processing of your wining...." (This did not make any sense in light of the next paragraph.)

But the next paragraph they suggested the following: "....Please cash the enclosed check and remit the said amount to enable us to finalize the processing of your payment. Feel free to contact us at the number listed below so that we can be of further assistance to you..."

Then the following paragraph advised "...As part of our security protocol, your file has been assigned to an International claim agent, who will assist you in processing your winning. Furthermore, do not hesitate to inform us of any change of address or telephone number. Please contact our International Claims Agents, Ms. Debbie Thomas or Frank Bison (Foreign Service Manager) at 1-204-952-3236 or 1-204-962-0400 ...." Both of these phone numbers are in Manitoba, not in British Columbia!! I have called them twice and had to leave messages which have not been returned to date.

I finally called the Bank, FIRST CITIZENS BANK, N.A. of Canton, NC, (from the phone number listed for them on the Internet) on which the check was written, where I spoke with a Bank Representative who told me explicitly that the check was NOT GOOD and that THIS WAS A SCAM!!!! She suggested that I call the Police concerning it. I intend to and also to notify the Attorney General's Office in Pennsylvania, the U.S. Postal Service and the BBB in Vancouver, British Columbia.

R B
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.