Mutual Financial Securities INC; Mutual Securities INC; Bob Morris; Mary Long Mutual Securities INC Shoppers Sweepstakes SCAM! Midland Ontario

I received a check for the amount of $4890.00 in advance of the supposed $250,000.00 winnings that was part of an original 5 million dollar sweepstakes that was split between 20 winners.

I have no recollection of entering the sweepstakes, but the check is from a bank in MO. (First Bank;1353 Manchester rd;Ellisville MO;63011)
This is supposed to cover federal income tax that will be assessed against the total winnings. The Canadian company check is drawn out of a similar named company: Mutual Securities INC;6311 N Lindberg Blvd;Hazelwood MO;63042. Says I should call Bob Morris before I cash the check.

Instructions are for me to send the same amount ($4890.00) in a moneygram or western union check to pay taxes up front. I can only assume that my check would be cashed and the check I have here would bounce!

I had the same experience with some scammer trying to get me to buy something after the item was already won by someone else on ebay. He contacted me after the sale and said he had the same item but since he just moved, his ebay address wasn't registered anymore and would I just send the westernunion check to some other address and then he would send the item. His typing skills and use of the English language were the first clue, (we delivery!) Don't be fooled by this scam!

Deborah
Livonia, Michigan
U.S.A.