416-827-5265

Recieved the same letter yesterday along with the 3,000 dollar check. The return address on the letter was a faded copy of ING DIRECT. Firtst tip off this was a scam. Promotions spelled without an "o" second tip off. After reading the letter (and all the name-dropping of all the companies involved, I realized this was exactly the same scam I get in my email spam file 20 times a day. I'm sure people fall for this or they wouldn't still be sending these.

I received a check in the mail in the amount of $3,875.00 today and when I called he said I had won $125,000.  The gentleman said that I needed to go to the bank and deposit the check and then to call them back and they would give me the name of the person who would be handling my account to pay my taxes.  I asked him why I could not speak to that person now, and he said that it had to be done this way.  I kept asking and he had no answer.  I then told him I thought this was a scam and I was going to report to my state agency.  He told me I could do that.  I then went onto a search engine and typed in "Waterhouse" and this site came up.  This is awful if someone does take this and deposit it into their account.  The persons name on this letter is "Mark Nelson, Claim agent" and Bryan McCloud (Promotion Director).  The telephone number on this letter is 416-831-1901, looks like they have changed their number.

this is the same scam as rental checks coming in.  I fell for it the first 3,000 times and then got smart.  The scam when you have a room to rent is some idiot from Shrilanka or Southern Uzbekestan emails you and says they are a doctoral student from London (my case) and that their Uncle will be paying the rent payments.  They would like to send you two checks, one for the deposit and one for the first months rent.  I foolishly gave them my address because I am an idiot and was trying to rent out rooms in my house.  Sure enough several weeks go by and I get two cashiers checks in the mail.  I tried to deposit them and that is when my banker told me of the scam, you deposit the "checks" and then you get a notice from the renter that their cat died and they cannot now rent the room, so please just keep the first month's rent and send them back a certified check for the deposit - bingo - they got you.  They cash your check, its gone from your account and boom, the bank then tells you they are bogus checks that you deposited, and the bank is all over you.  

Once again, if it sounds too good to be true - IT IS.  Scam City, rip up the check.  I just wonder who is selling our names and addresses out there on some list for these idiots to mail these things out.

Run Forrest -RUN.

Just received my letter from Mark Nelson Claim Agent what I don't get is how they got my name this is all from Canada I did go on a Canadian website looking for a RX, maybe that's how they were able to send me this crabby letter with this fake check in it, These screwballs I feel sorry for the people who really really need this Luck and get these creeps instead. People be very aware!!

This scam as of today still going on. Actually you can not be held responsible for fraud if you deposit as it is a real checking account just one that has been closed, and by the time the bank finds out you are over 1800 in the hole with you bank. A person I knew received one of these so called winnings, they did not have a savings or checking account. They went to a check cashing store and actually cashed the check. The store notified them it was returned however they could not hold this person responsible as it was made out to them , the company the check was written would then be responsible. I was very happy to know that the person went back to the check cashing place and returned the money. I don't know if would have. At any rate it was received in the mail with watermark and account number. being in the financial industry The "mark" so to speak is in no way liable legally but they are financially when check is returned. Just an FYI report any suspicious checks and letters you receive to the proper authorities.

In answer to your question it would only be there for a couple of days until whatever bank it was written on returned it saying closed account. they would then take the money back out of your account. this is where the scam is. you have a few days before this happens, the person instructs you to call back when funds are reflected in your account. You then withdraw the $$$ amount and wire or western union to where ever. Meanwhile as you wait ever so patiently for your "winnings" which by the way will NEVER come,your bank informs you the check was returned as a  fraud, closed ect account and you are left owing your bank the sum that you withdrew. My advice if possible go to the bank the check is written on and inform them of scam they will then take check, letter and so on and continue a financial crime investigation. apparently this does no good as this seems to have been going on for awhile and since it is Canada via Nigeria the chances of prosecution is slim to none. however the posts saying you are legally liable for prosecution is incorrect. you are a victim.

I am so grateful people like you post these notes which is so helpful to people like me.  They must have learned from their experience of writing letters to you because my letter has no errors on it. It says that I was a one of the lucky winners that is a shared sum from the total price amount of $3.2 Million of the INTER-CHAIN LOTTO POWERBALL on June 2, 2013.  My winnings amounted to $185,000.00 and an enclosed check for $3920 to pay the fees with. It really makes me angry because these are hard times, and that's a real let-down.  It also states that it is IN CONJUNCTION WITH BLANCHARD CONTRACTORS, INC.
And if you look at Blanchard Contractors website, they state that are not affiliated with this company, and they give you a number to call them if you have any questions. I really am hopeful that these people will get some sort of punishment for writing bad checks and leading people on. Thanks a lot for all of your posts that is so helpful to other people.

A girl inboxed me on fb saying i should email her because she needed my help.. i emailed her and she told me that her late rich fother inverstd money for her at royal bank in scotland.. she went on sayng that her father had an oil compony in senegal and when he died she fled to dakar at a refugee camp.. so she wanted me to claim her money for her 7.2 million n she would give me 30% of tht amount and when im succesfull with th claim she would come an live in my country.. she thn gave me th bank details and the details for the person im suposed to contact at the bank (mr pauls leed). he then told me tht the bnk accnt has been domant for so long so i had to pay $270...i also had to pay so called lawer for a power of attoney $200 and $300 for consultation...because i ddnt have that money i dcidd not help her..later on its whn i noticed it was a scam...never pay money to reciev money and money nver come just like tht..and never trust anyone tht talk about winning money or claimng money on the net

I just got a letter from American Tribune Prmotions Inc (yes, mis-spelled) and a check drawn on Wells Fargo Bank in the amount of $3,880.  My claim agent is Manu West, and when I googled that name I found this post.  No phone call yet...how did these people find me?  There's some vendor out there selling the mailing list.    Other names are (so people who search can also find this post...):

Simmons Fabrications
Alcora Building
Dana Bob
Global Maxim Investments

Just know - if you sign and deposit the check these bozos get your account information AND your signature - so don't do it!

Well, surprise!
I received this today, and the check is from: Trio Farms.
They also add that this "Lotto" is sponsored by K-Mart, Sears, Wal-Mart, a few other large department stores, and banks, including one I actually bank at!

Since it seemed rather improbable that my luck was really this good, I checked online.

Thank you all for confirming my suspicions.
Pity we can't all win a  lottery we never entered, huh?

I got the same exact thing. I was gonna go to the bank & thought hum let me web search this. OMG so glad I did. UGGH I need money I can't afford to give it away!

Scaming From the UK

My husband and I got the same letter yesterday . Thank you for your detailed post it saved us . I was so skeptical but I wanted to confirm it .

same stuff here,  chk was for $3875 ffrom Hancock Bank Tallahassee Fl.    Names on the letter was Mark Nelson & Bryan Mcloud.    Waterhouse Financial Services & Trio Farms     Same stuff happened when I tried to sell my boat on craigslist.  Just never let your guard down !

I got my letter July 5th 2013 and Mr. Manu West is the Claim Agent and the check is from Trio Farms Bradenton FL. and the bank is Hancock.    phone number is 416-843-9125

Waoohh I got the same lletter and the same winning number too thank for the inf....

Received the same junk mail yesterday.
thanks for the post..

i did too...had a friend from the UN look into it he brought me here...it does look real as they say its from shopping at well know stores...usually scams show you a place you never heard of....and also iut sent the check which seemed like ok ..so their asking if they can deduct their taxes etc from it...I thought the same way..I said too good to be true...but where's the scam? But i guess once youcall...lol

i did too...had a friend from the UN look into it he brought me here...it does look real as they say its from shopping at well know stores...usually scams show you a place you never heard of....and also iut sent the check which seemed like ok ..so their asking if they can deduct their taxes etc from it...I thought the same way..I said too good to be true...but where's the scam? But i guess once youcall...lol

These guys are getting better everyday. I did not even get excited. You see you have to play a lottery to win. I dont play. Shame on these peolpe who prey on innocent people like this, people beware!!!!!