First International Union Bank Global Lottery Corporation Telling an 87 year old woman that she won $985,000 - then asking for $. Las Vegas Nevada

A Winston James - 702-418-1232 phoned my 87 year old mother telling her she won $985,000.  He left his phone number because she said that she doesn't handle her money, her daughter (me) did and I would be home in about 1 hour.  My mother called me and told me about the phone call - I called the phone number - voice mail saying that the Magic Jack person could not be reached at the moment leave a message.  I just hit a few numbers and hung up.  Not 1 minute later I received a phone call from a woman asking if I just called her number.  I said I was trying to reach Winston James and she said he couldn't be reached now and that she could help me.  I told her about my mother's phone call and she said she could help me and was glad that I was looking out for my mother.

I asked what this was about and she said my mother won $985,000 from First International Union Bank and that they held a drawing once a month and my mother was this month's winner.  I asked where she got my mother's name and she said that my mother purchased a magazine and the bank was associated with the magazine publishing compay and this was their drawing.  My mother hasn't purchased a magazine in over 50 years.  She gets magazines delivered every month but has never subscribed to any one of them (another scam?).

I asked for her name - she hesitated and then said (in a foreign accent]) Jean Pierce - I asked that she spell her name and she said Paers.  I then asked for her address - 303 Carso Street, Las Vegas, NV 02145.  She said that the check was on its way being delivered by Dayton Courier Service and would be there tonight (10/10/2014) - BUT - first she had to go to a CVS Pharmacy and purchase a gift card for $199.00 (plus a $5 service charge) - now $204 and give it to the delivery person.  Once he/she received the card they would hand over the envelope with the check for $985,000 in it - and even go with her to the bank to either deposit or cash the check.  I asked her again why should my mother pay for something that she supposedly won - for free.  She just repeated that the money was for the courier.

I asked what the $199 was for and Jean said it was for the courier service and insurance on the check.  I asked her to hold on for a moment and I 'googled' the address (303 Carson Street) and low and behold it showed up on RipOff Report as a different company - Global Lottery Corporation Sweepstakes - with the same M.O..  I asked for a phone number and address for First International Union Bank and she said she already gave it to me.  I said that is the address you (Jean) gave me when I asked for her address - she said 'why should I give you my address - that's the bank's address".  I said that I was looking on RipOff Report and it shows the same kind of situation - her response was 'do what you have to do'.

I further 'googled' Dayton Courier Service - there is no such courier.  The first name that comes up is Rush Transportation and Logistics.  I called and explained the situation.  The person answering the phone said that they must be the best courier in Dayton if they were the first on Google.  

Like they say -- if you are called and someone says you won money but you have to send them money first - DON'T DO IT!