Sample Lottery Scam Email:
Microsoft Award Team ,
Maurrine Diane H,
Mr. Donald Duke,
Dr. TINZO PAOLO
If you fell for this scam,
please shoot yourself now
Below is yet another example of an pathetic phony lottery, this one using the name "Microsoft Award Team", or "Microsoft Award Winning Lottery Notification", or "MICROSOFT EMAIL PROMOTION DEPARTMENT" or "Microsoft Promotion Award Team" or "MICROSOFT MEGA JACKPOT LOTTO" - the scammer uses ALL of these names in the same email. This ranks as one of the most pathetic scams attempts we've ever seen. If you fell for this scam, we really feel sorry for you; you must get scammed on a daily basis. Why do we say this? Well, this scam includes so many, many obvious elements of a scam, and they are so ridiculous that we can't imagine anyone believing it.
There are many signs that this is a fraud, not the least of which is that Microsoft never has and never will sponsor a lottery, of any kind. Bill Gates has made that pretty clear. Is there any way we make make that more clear? And, by the way, Microsoft is not, does not, and will not ever send you to DisneyWorld. They don't "test the internet", nor sponsor email lotteries to "promote use of the internet". The scammer can not even spell "hundred" correctly. "The prestigious Microsoft and AOL"? Pigs will fly before Microsoft sponsors a lottery together with AOL.
In addition to the usual clues, notice the gibberish writing, excessive/incorrect use of CAPITAL letters, lack of decent punctuation. The sentences don't even make sense. Hardly what a professional (i.e., real) lottery would do. Note the other clues to an obvious fraud that we have highlighted in the letter; keep confidential, selected by a random computer lottery of email addresses, use of free email accounts, etc.
Here is a typical scam lottery winning notification.
Also see this page for a sample in the UK.
From: "MICROSOFT EMAIL PROMOTION DEPARTMENT" < info_firms@bellsouth.net >
To: < info@dpweb.vendaregroup.com >
Sent: Saturday, March 03, 2007
Subject: Microsoft Award Winning Lottery Notification .!!CONGRATULATIONS!!
Microsoft Award Team
20 Craven Park, Harlesden
London NW10 United Kingdom
Ref: BTD/969/07
Batch: 409678E
Dear Lucky Winner,
WINNING NOTIFICATION
The prestigious Microsoft and AOL has set out and successfully organised a Sweepstakes marking beginning of the year 2007 anniversary we rolled out over ₤75,000.000.00 (Seventy Five Million British Pounds Sterling) beginning of the year Anniversary Draws. Participants for the draws were randomly selected and drawn from a wide range of web hosts which we enjoy their patronage. The selection was made through a computer ballot draw system attaching personalised regular email addresses to ticket numbers. If you ignore this, you will regret it later. Microsoft and AOL are now the largest Internet companies and in an effort to make sure that Internet Explorer remains the most widely used program, Microsoft and AOL are currently running an e-mail beta test.
Your email address as indicated was drawn and attached to ticket number 008795724498 with serial numbers BTD/9080248302/07 and drew the lucky numbers 14-21-25-39-40-47(20) which subsequently won you ₤250,000.00 (Two Hunderd and FiFty Thousand British Pounds Sterling) as one of the 20 jackpot winners in this draw. You have therefore won the whole winning sum of ₤250,000.00 (Two Hunderd and FiFty Thousand British Pounds Sterling). The draws registered as Draw number one was conducted in Brockley, London United Kingdom on the 11th of January 2007. These Draws are commemorative and as such special.
Please be informed by this winning notification, to file your claims. You are to make contact with your designated agent who shall by duty guide you through the process to facilitate the release of your prize to you. To file for your claim Please Contact your Claim Agent:
Mr. Donald Duke
Claim Agent
Microsoft Promotion Award Team
Email: mswordpromo_claimsdept01@yahoo.co.uk
donald_duke@microsoftlotterycompany.co.uk
Phone: +44(0)701112 8679
Phone: +44 70457 01146
Fax: +447024084189
You are advised to contact your Claim Agent with the following details
to avoid unnecessary delays and complications: 1. Full Name:
2. Residential Address:
3. Marital Status:
4. Occupation:
5. Age:
6. Sex:
7. Nationality:
8. Country of Residence:
9. Mobile and office Telephone Number:
10. Fax Number:
11. Email Address:
12. Ticket Number:
13. Lucky Number:Please you are to choose your payment option at which you want your fund Paid to you; listed below is our payment modalities and option of payment. Just Indicate X
1) BY COURIER DELIVERY OF YOUR PRIZE: ..............................................! .[.....]
2) BANK TO BANK WIRE TRANSFER............................
3}TRAVELLING TO OUR OFFICE FOR CASH COLLECTION (Send flight itinerary to confirm your arrival/appointment Date}:.........................
================================================================================
Thank you for being part of this promotional award program.
Our special thanks and gratitude to Bill Gates and his associates.We wish you the best of luck as you spend your good fortune. Thank you for being part of our commemorative new year Anniversary Draws. CONGRATULATIONS from me and members of staff of the MICROSOFT MEGA JACKPOT LOTTO
Sincerely,
Secretary
Mrs. Maurrine Diane H.
NOTE: You are to contact your claims officer immediately by email. Or call the promotion director MR. TINZO PAOLO on PHONE #:+44 7024070170,+44 7031844897 to confirm your winnings.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Sincerely,
Dr. TINZO PAOLO
Microsoft Promotion Team
Names of Scam / Fake / Fraud Lottery
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