Ever get a letter that looks like you've won a big prize? The fine print may show you're just in for a lot of junk mail.

Bill Morphy, of Sedgewick, Alta., receives several winning prize notices every day.

"It's just a big scam," he said.

He's received so many in the last three years he's lost track and he's getting tired of shredding them.

From the mail he gets, it looks like Morphy has won $1 million, $2 million and more than $3 million. But a very close reading of the letters reveals he hasn't won anything at all.

"Get the law involved. It's the only way it's going to stop -- the law has to step in and stop it," Morphy said.

He contacted CTV News because he noticed many of the addresses on the return envelops were in Metro Vancouver. We traced one to a post box at the main post office in Vancouver, another to a post box in Richmond and even a heritage post office in Ladner.

Victor Hammill of Canada's Competition Bureau says they've investigated several misleading representations in lottery and sweepstakes promotions.

"Not unlike an email address, a post office box can be accessed from anywhere in the world. So just because a post office box is based in a certain country or city for that matter, it doesn't necessarily mean that the business or promoter is anywhere near there," Hammill said.

Last summer a huge fine was levied.

"A record $2-million fine against a Toronto direct-mailer who was promoting a sweepstakes look-alike contest. So we take this kind of action very seriously," Hammill said.

The rules limiting what a direct-mailer can and cannot say are pretty straightforward.

"The Competition Act prohibits the sending of a notice to a recipient that gives the general impression that they've won a prize, but in order to claim the prize they have to send money," Hammill said.

That's what the promotions Morphy has been getting appear to do. But on the back they have a disclaimer saying what he will really receive is a report listing other contests he can enter.

Hammill advises not to respond.

"Not only is the money gone, but so is your personal information, and you will be put on a list and you will be bombarded by these kinds of promotions because your name will be sold," he said.

Bill Morphy says he has no intention of sending money.

"If I have to send money to get money it's a scam and I send it right back to them," he said.

He plans to take his complaint to the Competition Bureau. Victor Hammill advises anyone who believes they've received anything they think is misleading to contact the Competition Bureau.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen.