In this scam, in which the Roanoke Rapids resident reporting it was not taken, the scammers send a $3,980 check reportedly from Progressive Direct Insurance Company.
The sweepstakes is supposed to be a Customer Compensation and Appreciation Bonanza from a drawing held in several well known stores, according to a copy of the letter released by Captain Andy Jackson of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.
The letter, which is from Can-Am Financial in London, Ontario, promises a $125,000 prize. To collect the prize, however, the recipient is requested to send the amount of the tax to Western Union to what is supposed to a government tax agent.
The balance of the winnings — $121,020 — would be shipped by Federal Express in a cashier's check, the letter says.
Jackson said he spoke with a representative of the company, telling the person he was with the Roanoke Rapids Police Department and would like to get an agent from the State Bureau of Investigation to meet with him. The man said he would get back with Jackson and hung up.
“The number one thing is if you win $125,000 (in a legitimate sweepstakes) you can have the tax taken off at the top,” Jackson said. “You shouldn't to take anything out of your bank account to collect winnings.”
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