TRIBUNE
Instead of rolling in the "mega millions," a 74-year-old Lewiston man is out almost $5,000.
And Lewiston police officers are warning the rest of the community about a scam that may be circulating in the area involving fake sweepstakes awards.
In a letter sent to the frequent "Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes player," the "Team of Mega Millions" recently told the man he had won $1.5 million in a prize draw sponsored by Publishers Clearing House, "Reader Digest," Mega Millions and the Multi-State Lottery Association.
The letter included contact information for a special representative and a check for $4,949.90 to cover insurance, shipping and attorneys fees.
The letter warned winners they must keep the information "strictly confidential" and to not even tell family or friends.
"This is to prevent unlawful tampering and a means to reduce risks of fraud and scams from taking place," according to the letter.
Police said the man called the sweepstakes representative. Following her instructions, he deposited the check, withdrew the money after it cleared and mailed it overnight stuffed inside a magazine to an address in New York via UPS.
The check was canceled in the next few days and the man is now responsible to pay back the bank for the withdrawn cash, according to police.
The Lewiston Police Department is cautioning the rest of the community to follow the advice that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't true.
