Metropolitan National Bank, Little Rock, Arkansas, has contacted the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the bank's name are in circulation. The items are reportedly associated with a lottery scam. Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit items contains the letterhead of "British International Lotto, 11500 New Cross Road, London SE 16, England." The letter alerts recipients of their winning status and provides instructions to contact their agent.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 082001247, which is assigned to Metropolitan National Bank. The counterfeit items presented to date have been similar to authentic checks. However, the counterfeit items have a dark top border with the following security statement embedded: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." In addition, the top border contains rounded corners that drop off toward the sides of the check.

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

Mike Shepard
Security Officer
Metropolitan National Bank
425 W Capitol Avenue
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Phone: (501) 377-7635
Fax: (501) 377-7640
E-mail: mshepard@metbank.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 website 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 (703-562-2200 or 1-877-275-3342).