Times-Tribune / Staff Report
The old lottery scam is still around, though a recent twist cost a Whitley County family $4,000.
Kentucky State Police Detective Colan Harrell said the family received a letter from Synnex Financial Bureau in Toronto, Ontario, Canada claiming they had won a foreign lottery and enclosed a check. The check, according to the letter, was to cover taxes and a ‘one time tax fee’ to send to an attorney.
The check, Harrell said, appeared authentic and was a good copy. The phone number in the letter actually was that of a Canadian attorney. The check, though, was bogus and the family is now out $4,000 after repaying the bank, he said.
“They’re taking it a step further,” Harrell said. “In this letter, there’s a counterfeit check with it. It’s an old scam but it’s been revised.”
Anyone with questions about a letter or similar communications should report it to the local police.
