This is a variation of the overseas money transfer scamA confidence game or other fraudulent scheme, especially for making a quick profit; and the sweepstakes scams. The money transfer scammers write, call or email the target and claim that they have received a check for several thousand dollars that they cannot cash in their own country. They ask for the target’s help in cashing it. They endorse and send the check to the target and ask him or her to deposit it, then immediately wire transfer to them 80% of the face amount of the check. The target is assured he or she can keep the balance of 20%. The check appears to be from a U.S. car dealership, a computer company or some other legitimate enterprise, and it will bear a valid account number for that enterprise. Days after the target has wired the 80% overseas, his or her bank reports that the check is counterfeit and will not be honored. Montreal telephone fraud artists employ this tactic as well.