516-774-8554

Was contacted by my email and told that I had been a grand prize winner $18.5 M plus $10,000 a month. He claimed his name was John Washington and he represented STAKES US SWEEPSTAKES which was affiliated loosely with Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes. I was told to take out a new checking account or savings account at a bank that I was familiar with and had been with for a long time so that they could deposit into that account. He said to call his PERSONAL phone number: 516-774-8554. Troubling is the fact that I did a background search on his phone number because he gave me his personal phone number which I checked + it showed no red flags whatsoever, had even been searched once before with no red flags. He also answered at that number. He seems to always close out a conversation with, "GOD bless you". It was said in the manner of long believing Christians, not as if it was purposefully being used in a ruse. I did just a light background check to see if a STAKE US SWEEPSTAKES was indeed a true business and they are. However, obviously this was not the one that he claimed it was. At the last moment before taking out a checking account I decided to do a better Business search + that is where we are right now and why I do not have a new bank account and he will not be contacted. In fact he will be blocked. [BBB Scam Type: Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes] [Business: Stake US Sweepstakes] [Location: OH, USA- 43351]