First National Bank of Nevada, Scottsdale, Arizona, has contacted the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The counterfeit items are associated with a scam that includes a letter notifying recipients of winning a cash prize in a lottery drawing. Recipients are instructed to make immediate contact using the information listed below and arrange to wire transfer processing fees prior to having the winnings released:

• Zenon Publishing Sweepstakes House, Winnings Processing Center, 7861 Victoria Drive, SW, Edmonton, AB–V3V-6C5, (780) 604-5806; or
• Century Link Pos, 555 Belleville Street, Suite 800, Victoria, BC V8V 2X5, (250) 813-0583.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 0122401723, which is assigned to First National Bank of Nevada, and are similar to authentic cashier's checks. However, the counterfeit items are printed on check stock that fades from blue to purple (left to right). The statement "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A COLORED BACKGROUND AND AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK CERTIFICATION SEAL ON THE BACK–HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW SEAL" is embedded in the top border. A blurred image of black mountains is embedded within the bank's logo and centered at the top of the item. The statement "SIGNATURE HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND" is located under the dual signature line at the bottom-right side of the item. The reverse side contains a watermark certification seal stating "ABA/ANSI SEAL Tested."

Authentic cashier's checks are printed on a multi-colored background of peach and light green with a purple image of mountains embedded within a logo. A security statement is contained under the dollar amount line, and a foil hologram security strip is located along the top border. The statement "FOIL STRIP HOLOGRAM" is printed in a continuous loop along the top border.

To report this scam or any other scam based in or mailed from Canada, please contact Phonebusters, which is a joint partnership between the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Phonebusters is interested in receiving copies of scam letters, particularly those involving Canadian mailing addresses or telephone numbers. Records relating to the payment of advance fees should also be forwarded to Phonebusters. This intelligence information is used to assist in the strategic targeting of would-be fraudsters. Scam letters should be forwarded to the Phonebusters National Call Center (PNCC) as follows:

Mail:	Box 686 North Bay, Ontario, Canada P1B 8J8
Web site:	www.phonebusters.com
Telephone:	+1 (888) 495-8501 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)
Fax:	+1 (888) 654-9426 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)
E-mail:	info@phonebusters.com
Advance fee fraud (including Nigerian and lottery letters): wafl@phonebusters.com

For additional information or to verify the authenticity of the check, please contact:

Patricia Coronado
Assistant Vice President/ Corporate Security Department
First National Bank of Nevada
17600 N. Perimeter Drive
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
Telephone: (480) 224-8243
Fax: (480) 224-8536
E-mail: pcorondado@fnbaonline.com

Additional information concerning this matter may be brought to the OCC's attention at:

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
E-mail:	occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov
Internet:	http://www.occ.treas.gov

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber-Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-4004, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Information related to federal deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.

For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2006/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

NOTE: Paper copies of FDIC Special Alerts may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information (1-877-275-3342).