Got ‘fraudulent’ mail?

The Attorney General’s Office yesterday warned Northern Marianas residents against fraudulent telephone and mail sweepstakes promotions.

Consumer counsel David Lochabay said AGO has been receiving reports of CNMI residents who have fallen prey to these fake trade promotions.

These illegal activities come in many forms but Mr. Lochabay said some unsolicited material typically arrives by mail, informing the recipients they have won a prize which generally involves a large amount of money.

AGO said it turned out that the “winners” would have to send money before they can even collect their prize, be eligible for the next raffle drawing, or proceed to the next level.

These fraudulent schemes, according to Mr. Lochabay, go by various names like “Cashorama” which requires victims to initially send $14.97 in order to be eligible to win $10,000. This is accompanied by a “cash claim and entry form” declaring the recipient’s eligibility for the prize from the “Bureau of Unclaimed Cash.”

At the same time, other fraudulent schemes ask potential victims to sent in $20 for a “Report Authorization” in the amount of $543,705. It is accompanied by a “confirmation card” in which the recipient authorizes the release of the victim’s name to other marketers.

Another Capitol Research Center fraud involves sending an elaborate full-page certificate issued to the recipient by name and number. The certificate states that the person is guaranteed to be an “Identified Candidate for Published Cash and Prize Awards Report” in the amount of $500,000.

Meantime, the National Cash Award Search & Trust wants victims to sent in $15 to gain 1,000 chances to win over $1 million. The average total prize fulfillment is stated to be $1.201 million.

Also, the Atlantis Interglobe Courier sends documents informing the victim that he has been confirmed for $3 million. All the victim needs to do is enclose $49.99 for such an opportunity. If $49.99 is too much, just sent $39.99 for $1.4 or $29.99 for $800,000.

He said the worst scam that has been reported could be the Australia/Canada lottery, wherein the victim buys a ticket for $39 through which the scam perpetrators obtain the victim’s contact numbers.

“The victim is then contacted by telephone and informed he has won the lottery ($34 million in one case reported). These people are very polished in their methods,” he added.

Mr. Lochabay said that during the telephone interview, the victim is made to feel like the company is being very careful it has the right person, and there is a feel of genuineness and officiality.

Finally, the victim is asked for a processing fee before the winnings can be released. This fee can run as much as $500. Scammers have been known to call back for more, and some people have been cheated out of nearly $1,000.