Charlie Tapnio, 37, a graphic artist at Yuichiro Printing, received a letter from “Betty McKenzie” in the U.S. informing him that he had won in a national lottery.
The letter read, “We are pleased to advise that you are one of the winners in the Consumer Promotion Sweepstakes Drawing organized for all customers of the participated retail stores in the United State and Britain. The selected stores includes: Wal-Mart, Sears, ASDA, Walgreens, Staples and Safeway.”
Tapnio said the letter came with a check in the amount of $3,250.
Incredulous as he was in learning of his “fortune,” Tapnio said he had doubts about the windfall although the check appeared to be authentic.
He said he was told in the letter that he needed to send $1,900 to pay for taxes since “the lottery was held in the United States” and the check was a portion of his $1.5 million winnings.
Tapnio showed Variety a check purportedly issued by Morgan Stanley.
Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, investment management and wealth management services.
He said, “I really thought the check was authentic until I followed my instinct and did a research.”
He said he “Googled” the name Betty McKenzie and his search revealed an online scam.
Tapnio advised the members of the community to watch out for such scams.
Another nonresident worker who declined to give Variety her name said she received the same letter and with the same check with a similar amount.
She said she was ready to send $1,900 as “payment for tax” for “winning” the lottery.
But she conducted an online research first and learned about the scam.
Several years ago, another worker received a check for $1,000 which she deposited into her savings account only to discover that it was a counterfeit.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, “just because funds are available on a check you’ve deposited doesn’t mean the check is good.”
FTC on its website stated that forgeries can take weeks to be discovered and untangled.
FTC tells consumers to wait until the bank confirms that the funds from the check have been deposited into their account.
It also warned depositors that they are responsible for any funds they withdraw against their check.
FTC advises victims of fraudulent checks to go to www.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
