Rowden is one of hundreds of Oregonians who have been targeted by international money transfer schemes that range from fake lottery tickets to Craigslist scams. Each scheme has two common characteristics — they are international and they require you to wire money in order to deposit the check or money order. In every case, the victim is scammed and the money is gone.
Fortunately, Rowden knew better than to deposit the unexpected checks.
"I'm not about to take it down and cash it and then have to pay it all back," she said.
Rowden's first check arrived in December 2008 from the "Reader's Digest Foundation" for $5,000. She has received seven checks since then, ranging from $4,000 to her most recent, $4.8 million from the Australian lottery.
Rowden called the police, who came and confirmed that the checks were phony. The checks came with a letter that said Rowden would need to call an agent before the money could be deposited. Rowden tried calling the contact provided, but the number was always unavailable. All the checks had Canadian postage.
By the way, although it isn't Oregon-based, the Powerball lottery is also legal--it better be, since I have been playing it for years.
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Efforts are being made to preserve the habitat of the rare Sand Mountain blue butterfly.
One can see Sand Mountain and the dunes from Highway 50.
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I guess I should note my grandnephew and his wife are expected another girl. This one is due in September.
That makes me twice a great-grandaunt even though I am a mere 54 years old. I became a grandaunt when I was 28. That shit happens when you have siblings much older than yourself and their kids are almost as old as you.
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