DiNapoli warns of fake lottery check scam

Posted at: 02/05/2012 9:16 AM

The New York State Comptroller is warning residents about a mail scam that includes a fake check for lottery winnings.

Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says the mail scam includes a fake check from New York state. Recipients are told they won a lottery, and they're asked to wire an amount of money to the scammer to secure their "full winnings." Those transactions cannot be retrieved.

The letters come from “Guaranty Trust Inc.” with a New York City mailing address, and “Golden Gateway Financial, Division of Unclaimed Funds,” with a Las Vegas and London address. Letters from the scam say the recipient won an "American 

So far, the comptroller's office recovered more than a dozen checks from “Guaranty Trust Inc.” with amounts of either $3,980.05 or $4,885.20. The checks are supposed to cover the taxes that would be owed on the alleged winnings.

DiNapoli says federal law enforcement officials are investigating.

Anyone who believes they may be a victim of the scam should contact the Comptroller's toll-free fraud hotline at 1-888-672-4555, or file a complaint via email to investigations@osc.state.ny.us.

For more Rochester, N.Y., news, visit our website at www.whec.com

 

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