Natwest Financial Inc. North America Holiday Travel Rewards Promotions / Lottery Program Fraudulant Letter for Cruise Lottery Bahamas & $50,000 Cash Citibank Official Check & Letter Surrey British Columbia

I received today a very real looking check from Citibank, issued to me in my legal name. (Which I knew must be pulled from Title/ Real Estate public roles, as no one I know uses my legal name... Nor do I!)
The letter stated that they were pleased to inform me of the results of the North America Holiday Travel Reward Promotions / Lottery Program held on May 31, 2007,...
(my name...) was attached to a winning ticket and I won the lottery in the third catagory. I was therefore selected to receive a Bahamas cruise with a lump sum payment of $50,000 in cash. (This was from a total cash prize of $850,000.)

The check enclosed looks very real, except that it feels FLIMSY. I have worked in the banking industry for years, and these Official Checks should almost feel like currency...

After receiving this check, I googled the names and found this web site. Here, I came across similar scams... with different banks, etc. I am very glad I found this site and was able to post this scam. There are too many evil people out there, preying on the innocent. I personally knew of someone who deposited a check similar to the one I received and then had to refinance her house to get the $8,400 to pay back the bank after her credit union released the funds (they did not do a hold as it was an 'official check',)

PLEASE remember... if it looks to good to be true, IT IS.

Susan
redlands, California
U.S.A.