Emporian James Weaver nearly got scammed. But he listened to his instincts and blew the whistle on a lottery scam that he received in the mail.
Weaver received a letter from the North-American/European Sweepstakes Lottery out of Ontario. The letter stated that a ticket attached to his name matched the winning numbers and that Weaver was entitled to $9,800 US dollars. The letter claimed the total was from prize money shared out of a $352,000 total and was spread over 36 winners.
A check for $975 that looked legitimate was enclosed in the letter. Weaver was directed to call Stacy Clarke before attempting to use the check. Weaver said he called the number provided and was told that he should cash the check, get a money order and send in the money to a provided address. The woman told him that in 24 to 48 hours after the money was received, he would be contacted and asked where to send the remainder of his prize money.
This sent up red flags for Weaver and he took the paperwork and check in to the Emporia Police Department. When the check was photocopied, the words, “faux” and “void” appeared on the check. Before photocopying the check, it appeared normal and even had a watermark present.
“The lottery told me they sent out thousands of those,” Weaver said. “I didn’t want somebody else getting this and being out of $975.”
The check was issued by OLGC Financial Group out of Carpinteria, Calif. The bank listed was Wachovia Bank, N.A. The letter was signed by Michael Anderson, promotion manager.
Had Weaver cashed the check, he would have been liable if it bounced.