I actually caught this rip off by looking on this web site. I recieved a letter from Platinum Point Securities INC., stating that I had been picked in a Shoppers Food Warehouse drawing and that I had won $250,000.00... They also sent a check for $4,980.00 with the letter telling me to call Lewis McGregor. I called and he instructed me to deposit the check into my bank account, he said the check was to cover the taxes for the money I had won... He said once I deposit the check he will send the rest of the money by certified mail. I compared my letter to the letter I had found on this web site and my ticket serial number(498561256) and claim number(WA/SDH-0101) were the exact same as the other letters. I also called Wells Fargo's fraud department since thats who the check was through. They suggested I DO NOT deposit that check!
Here's what the letter says in detail:
Sir/Madam,
We are pleased to inform you that you are one of the declared winners of the SHOPPERS SWEEPSTAKES held on June 5th, 2009 in the 2nd category. Ticket serial NO 498561256 drew the lucky winning NO 49-55-77-80-02.
We have made many unsuccessful attempts to contact you regarding this winning. you are therefore entitled to the sum of $250,000.00 US DOLLARS. This is from a total prize money of $5 Million US dollars that was shared and presented among the other 20 declared winners. Please note that all the participants were selected through a random computer ballot system drawn from over 50,000 names.
Your claim number is WA/SDH - 0101 and has been assigned to our North American Claims Affiliate. To expedite the processing enclosed is a check of $4980.00 US dollars which has been deducted from your winning. The sole purpose of this check is for the payment of the applicable Government Taxes on your big winnings. The tax amount is $2995.00 US DOLLARS (TWO THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED NINTY FIVE DOLLARS).
Please do not attempt to use this check until you call. You are advised to contact your claim agent immediatly for further clarification as indicated below within 5 business days.
Lewis McGregor, 1-647-894-7624
Congratulations,
Yours Truly
(Signature)
Barbara Bryan (Promotion Manager).
I will update more later.
Mary
hanover, Maryland
U.S.A.