Counterfeit Cashier's Checks: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of American Bank of Texas, N.A., Marble Falls, TX

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks issued in the bank’s name and using a correct routing number of 051900353 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam.

While the counterfeit checks are very similar to the authentic items, counterfeit instruments may be identified by the following traits: the checks are green in color and contain the word “Texas” in the upper-left corner of the check in lieu of a branch identification number. The instruments may contain one of the following statements in the top border of the item: “For security purposes, the face of this document contains a colored background and microprinting in the border.” or “The face of this document has a colored background on white paper and original document security screen on back with a padlock security icon.” The following statement may appear along the bottom border of the item: “The reverse side of this document includes a unique check identity bar code and an artificial watermark – hold at angle to view.” The signature area is enclosed in a rectangular-shaped box with rounded corners, and is followed by the words: “Issuer Accepts as Drawer/Drawee.”

Items presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $2,950, contain a 6-digit serial number beginning with the series of “127”, are signed by either Mark W. Few or Clive Ward, contain varying purchaser names, and are dated Nov 7, 2006.

Victims of the lottery scam have received the counterfeit items via US Postal Service. Correspondence accompanying the checks may contain the letterhead of “Gamebookers Casino, Old Anjo Insurance Building, Lower Long Street, St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda” and include a signature of both Busman Oliver and Cynthia Stone. Recipients are informed of their winning status in the 2006 Thanksgiving Sweepstakes monthly International Promotions Program draw. The recipient is requested to keep his or her winnings confidential and informed that he or she must deposit the enclosed check into his or her bank account immediately to pay for processing insurance and international taxes. The letter further states that the recipient is to call his or her claim representative, Sandra Mayweather, at 1-204-952-5286 (a Canadian telephone number).

For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of cashier’s checks issued by American Bank of Texas, N.A., please contact Rhanda Boatwright, Assistant Vice President of Operations, 418 Hwy 281, Marble Falls, TX 78654, by telephone at (830) 693-3676, by fax at (830) 693-6893, or via email at [rboatwright@abtexasna.com].

Additional information concerning this matter that you believe should be brought to the attention of the OCC may be forwarded to:

Email: occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov
Mail: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Special Supervision Division, MS 6-4
250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20219
Fax: (202) 874-5214
Internet: https://www.occ.gov

For additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please visit the OCC's anti-fraud resource page.

/signed/

Richard C. Stearns
Director for Enforcement & Compliance