Complaint Review: Capital Direct

I received a letter stating I had won "The Mega Millions Draw" held on 4/21/08. As my numbers had been drawn, I was the winner of $250,000.00.

Yes, I was doubtful. But here's the clencher, they enclose what appears to be a legitimate check payable to you in the amount of $4,200.00.

The letter states that you should contact your agent. In my case, it was suppose to be a guy named George Peterson. I contacted Mr. Peterson (I think) who advised me that I should immediatley deposit the check and call him back tomorrow for further details.

Here's where I started to figure out this was fraud. Mr. Peterson was on a cell phone at the time I called him. I know this because during our conversation, I can hear the vehicles around him honking their car horns. Apparently, Mr. Peterson was in a traffic jam.

Secondly, the letter states it is a Final Notice, however, the check is dated May 28, 2008. Why wait over a month to contact me. In addition, final notice? When else did you notify me?

Another funny thing. If someone is about to give you $250k, wouldn't they at least want to confirm your claim number (Claim number JN-9149-079). He didn't. He barely asked for my name. He asked me for no identifying items, but reiterated that I should deposit the check and make sure not to misplace the letter as this was a very important letter.

Although, $250k would have come in at a great time, if something seems to good to be true, it usually is.

I, of course, immediately ran a search on the internet and confirmed that this was a fraud.

I contacted the bank whose name appears on the face of the check, First Citizens Bank. They are a legitimate bank, but knew exactly what I was calling about. Their security department has been working on this for a while.

The bank representative advised me not to deposit this check as this is not an account at their bank. She said that the scam is, you deposit the check, the funds appear to clear when Capital Direct requests that you now send them $1100 as a transfer fee.

Apparently, some people do this as they think to themselves, 'well, I get to keep the rest of the $4200'. Wrong!!!

He will cash your check for $1100 before your bank becomes aware that this check is no good and now you are out $1100 of your own money.

Lastly, I ran a search for the company whose name appears on the check, O.T.S. Astracon, LLC. They are a legitimate company, but they are freight forwarders in the business of import/export.

Obviously, nothing to do with a sweepstakes.

I have contacted the fraud department of the BBB in British Columbia to alert them to this. However, I am sure that they are fully aware. I only hope that the person I spoke with gets caught before he can rip off anyone else.

Susan
Hialeah, Florida
U.S.A.