Victim Location 60545
Total money lost $3,439.83
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Received a phone call that I had won 2nd prize in a sweepstakes. I was told that I should have received a letter from their law firm confirming that I had won. I received no such letter. I was given a sweepstakes number that they claimed was mine & to call the Federal Gaming Authority in Washington, DC to verify that I won. I called the number they gave me (202 area code), told them the sweepstakes number, and they verified that I was truly a winner, that the check was being held in customs and I would need to pay a fee to HSVC International (a finance company) in the originating country the sweeps was made. After verifying, or so I thought, the person at the law firm said that the finance company would pay the federal taxes, but I would have to pay 10% of the tax money as a sign of good faith. When the courier came to my house I would get the whole check, plus a refund of my 10% + shipping charges. I would need to deposit the check right away & send HSVC the tax money from the check since they had already paid the federal taxes. Unfortunately I sent cash as instructed which seemed to me very covertly. I called the "law firm" to let them know the money had been sent along with tracking numbers. The next day I get a call saying the courier is on their way & I’ll get another call when they’re on the plane to come to me. I never got the second call. I called the next day and left message for a call back. Never got one.