Alert 2006-42
ALERT

    Subject:  Counterfeit Cashier's Checks
Description:  Metropolitan National Bank 

       Date:  August 10, 2006

TO:  Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks; All
     State Banking Authorities; Chairman, Board of 
     Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Chairman,
     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Director, 
     Office of Thrift Supervision; Conference of State 
     Bank Supervisors; Deputy Comptrollers (districts);
     Assistant Deputy Comptrollers; District Counsel; and
     All Examining Personnel

RE:  Counterfeit Cashier's Checks of Metropolitan 
     National Bank, Little Rock, AR 

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit 
cashier's checks issued in the bank's name and using a 
correct routing number of 082001247 are being presented 
for payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam.

While the counterfeit items have a strong resemblance to
the authentic checks, the counterfeit items can be 
identified by the following:  a dark border at the top of
the instrument contains a security statement that reads
"THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND 
MICROPRINTING.  THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL 
WATERMARK."  In addition, the top border contains rounded
corners which drop off toward the sides of the check.

Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit items 
contains the letterhead of "British International Lotto,
11500 New Cross Road, London SE 16, England" and is 
signed by James Langford, Prize Director.  The letter 
alerts recipients of their winning status and provides 
instructions to contact their agent, Elsie Fingate of 
Apex Financial Company at 011-44-7717-146-335 or via 
e-mail at [lottoinquiries@yahoo.com].  This entity 
represents itself as a subsidiary of British Lotto 
Corporation. 

For additional information and guidance, please contact 
Mike Shepard, Security Officer, Metropolitan National 
Bank, Metropolitan Tower, 425 W Capitol Avenue, Little 
Rock, AR  72201, by telephone at (501) 377-7635, by fax
at (501) 377-7640, or via e-mail at 
[mshepard@metbank.com].  

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

      E-mail:	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:	http://www.occ.treas.gov

For additional information regarding other types of 
financial fraud, please visit the OCC's anti-fraud 
resource at: http://www.occ.treas.gov/fraudresources.htm.



Daniel P. Stipano
Deputy Chief Counsel