we have recently found out I have advanced liver failure and must have a transplant immediately
I'm really sorry to hear that, Sapa. It's not a cruel joke, it's a cruel scam. If it was legit they'd just send your husband a cheque.
These slimeballs will talk a mile a minute to persuade you that there is some complicated reason why they can't do that, maybe something to do with helping you to avoid tax on the "winnings", or that taxes must be paid on them. Don't listen: they will empty your bank account if you let them. Inform the police.
A couple of links:
Bank clerk credited with thwarting scamAn alert, caring bank clerk in Alton prevented an 88-year-old man from clearing out his bank account last week and sending his money to scammers supposedly representing the "Canadian Sweepstakes."
Lottery Scam Targets ElderlyEvery year, one out of three adults in the United States gets a call from a con man, and the very best in the business of telemarketing fraud are known in the con game as "the closers."
They are the smooth, persuasive talkers who convince people to send them millions of dollars based on a phone conversation.
Recently, the most talented closers in the business have been working something called the Canadian lottery scam, one of the largest, most successful cons ever.
Will you let us know how you are geting along?