Re: help me out guys

Those things just keep rolling on.  I still get several questions every
month from people who have been told they "won" something.

Here's one I received today (30 November).  Quoted verbatim, in full.

- - - - -

To whom it may concern:

My name is (...) and I recieved a letter in the mail that claimed that I had
won several hundred thousand dollars.  I was contacting you hoping that you
could contact me back, either refer me to someone else or maybe I could have
a number that I could contact you about.  I am thinking that it may be a
scam but I wanting to contact someone of higher authority that may know the
truth.  Thank you for your time.
- (...)

- - - - -

Here's the answer I gave:

- - - - -

Dear (...),

We have absolutely no connection of any kind to that organization, nor to
any other lottery organization.   We have no connection, and no relationship
of any kind.

I cannot give you any specific information about them.

I would suggest that, as in all such matters, you investigate it entirely.
Especially you should contact your state's Attorney General, as well as
local law enforcement authorities, and obtain their advice before you
proceed.

I would also suggest that you look into the subject of lottery-related
scams, through the Internet search engines (e.g., Google at
"http://www.google.com";), as well as with your Attorney General and local
law enforcement authorities.

I am not associating the source you mentioned in your E-mail with any such
kind of situation.  I am simply suggesting that you should investigate it
thoroughly and completely, as there is plenty of information about
lottery-related scams in circulation on the Internet.

You might also want to check the following Web site of the U.S. Federal
Trade Commission:

      http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/crossborder/

Again, we have absolutely no connection of any kind with any such
organization.

I hope this information is helpful.

Best regards,

Joseph Roberts
CDEX

- - - - -

It's a shame to see those messages still coming in.   Like Scott said, if it
sounds too good to be true, it's probably not true.

P.S.  I get a little concerned with people asking me for advice on those
things.   I want to help by suggesting the Google and US FTC links, but I
don't want the victim to think I'm associated with the matter in any way.
I don't like the "higher authority" ref.   That's scary.

Suggestions are welcomed.

Joe