Mail scam says residents won lottery

Thursday, March 16, 2006 posted 02:26 AM EST

The Miami County Sheriff's Department wants to warn of a recently identified mail scam that tells potential victims they have won a lottery.

Several companies using the names “USA International Inc.” and “American Direct Inc.” are sending counterfeit checks advising that people have won the “USA Mega Millions Jackpot.”

Addresses in Colorado and Nevada have sent numerous letters throughout the United States stating that the targeted victims have won up to $750,000. Included with these letters are what appear to be BNSF Railway checks, made out to the alleged winner.

The purpose of the check is to offset any processing fees, according to the companies involved. These checks are counterfeit.

Companies involved reportedly then ask the “winners” to call specific telephone numbers to initiate a claim and activate the counterfeit check.

The companies may then ask for personal information from the victim, including bank account numbers. The personal information obtained may then be used for fraudulent purposes.

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