(This is a classic!)
Yesterday I didn’t win 1,000,000 Euro again. But some scammer is pretending to represent Microsoft in order to cheet me on a couple of hundred dollars.
It’s a well known fact that lottery scammers use well known brand names and trademarkes in order to pull their lottery scams. I have previously published mails from the Google Lottery, and here is an email from a scammer who pretends to represent the software giant in Redmont.
How can I be sure this is a scam? Well, the fact that it is sent from and to a free email service (and not MSN or Hotmail) and that the contact address is a netscape.net address, must be considered to be somthing of a givaway… (And can someone please shed som light on the fact that most of these scammers use Dutch phone numbers?
From: microsoft_proginformationdesk@go.com
Subject: CONGRATULATION YOU HAVE WON.
Date: Februari 22, 2005 14.43.56 MET
To: microsoft_proginformationdesk@go.comMICROSOFT SWEEPSTAKES INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY PROGRAMME
Ref. Number: DNILP/706/8581
Batch Number: BN/396/901/Sir/Madam
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the (MICROSOFT SWEEPSTAKES LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME) held on the 20th of Feb, 2005, The Programme was held in Amsterdam the Netherlands. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 2752/256/459 with serial number 3573-581 drew lucky numbers 90-11-73-61-55 which consequently won in the 1st category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of € 1,000,000, 00(One million Euro only)
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims has been processed and your money Remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.
All participants were selected through a computer ballot digital system drawn from over 20,000 companies and 30,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world. This programmed is a given out offer to all Microsoft internet users.
This promotional program takes place every four years. This lottery was promoted and sponsored by eminent personalities Mr. Bill Gates and the Sultan of Brunei, we hope with part of your winning you will take part in our next year programmed, €3.5 million Euro International Lottery Programmed. An approved agent has been appointed to file your claim. You are here by advise to contact the Appointed Agent and apply for a non resident claim form to enable the approved Agent legalize and Notarize your winning file through the Netherlands Ministry Court of Justice, before your claim file will be submitted to the paying out bank were your winning fund have been deposited with high cover insurance on till final remittance to your given account to the paying out bank when your file will be submitted to the bank.
To file for your claim and ensure a smooth collection of your winnings, an agent have been appointed /approved to assist you [PREMIER LOTTO PARTNER]Will forward your claim file to the paying out bank after all relevant documents needed regarding your winning is completed for immediate remittance to your provided account. You are to contact the approved agents by email or fax within a week of receiving this notice. Please find full Contact details of the agent below:
MR.FRANK WATER
PREMIER LOTTO PARTNER
THE NETHERLANDS
TEL:0031-6521-31495.
EMAIL: premierinfo2005@netscape.netHe will assist you on how you will claim your winning amount.Remember all winning must be claim not later than one week of receiving the message.
After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake. Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence. Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program. Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
Best Regards
Mrs.Gladys Cliton.
Lottery Co-ordinator.N.B:YOU ARE PLEASE ADVISE TO CONTACT MR, WATER FRANK THAT WILL PROCESS YOUR CLAIM email: (premierinfo2005@netscape.net) TEL:0031-652-131-495