Beverton woman tricked by international lottery scam

Beverton woman tricked by international lottery scam: "Beverton woman tricked by international lottery scam
Fraud - Juanita Foss sends a $3,000 check to an overseas address but receives nothing in return
Friday, September 30, 2005

HILLSBORO -- The letter from Star Lotto Prize Inc. promising a big win was so believable.

But within a week of receiving it, Juanita Foss of Beaverton had lost $3,000.

'Any time you get a lottery thing like this it's fraud,' said Foss, a retiree who wants to make sure no one else falls for the scam.
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The swindle starts with an official letter promising a rich reward. It moves forward with a fake check sent to the victim. And ends with the victim forwarding a real check to an international address.

The scam may be circulating around Washington County, said sheriff's Sgt. John Black, whose office is investigating two related cases. It is similar to other frauds with slightly different packaging, he said.

'As in most of these types of fraud, it will appear to be too good to be true,' he said, 'and it is.'

The letter Foss received Sept. 9 included official-sounding names and dates."