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Below is yet another version of the Microsoft scam - 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. For example, Microsoft and AOL are competitors!
There are many signs that this is a fraud, not the least of which are:
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?
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.
Microsoft's headquarters are in Redmond, Washington, USA. Why would they announce this in "Brockley, England"?
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.
MICROSOFT LOTTERY < masonryan@uk2.net >
Microsoft Award Team
20 Craven Park, Harlesden
London NW10
United KingdomRef: BTD/968/07
Batch: 404378GDear Sir/Madam,
WINNING NOTIFICATION
The prestigious Microsoft and Aol has set out and successfully Selected one hundred winners for the Easter Draws. Participants for this 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 draw system attaching personalised 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 running an e-mail data test.
Your email address as indicated was drawn and attached to ticket number 00879B67 with serial numbers BTD/90806J8/07 and you won$1,100,000.00 (One Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars), a cheque of $1,100,000.00 (One Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars) has already issued to 10 jackpot winners in this draw. You have therefore won the entire winning sum of $1,100,000.00 (One Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars).
The draws registered as Draw number one was conducted in Brockley, London United Kingdom .
These Draws are commemorative and as such special. Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our Africa booklet representative in West Africa as indicated in your play coupon, In view of this, your $1,100,000.00 (One Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars) cheque would be released to you by our Fiduciary Agent in West Africa,
Our Fiduciary agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your cheque as soon as you contact him. Make contact with your designated agent who shall by duty guide you through the process to facilitate the release of your winning cheque.
To file for your claim, Please Contact your fiduciary agent with the details below:
NAME: MR Martin Philips
Email: martinphilips212@yahoo.com.hkYou are advised to contact your Fiduciary Agent with the following details to avoid unnecessary delays and complications with your
Name (in Full :.......................................................................
Country:........................................................................
........
Address:........................................................................
........
Direct Telephone
No:................................................................
Age:............................................................................
..........
Sex:............................................................................
..........
Occupation/position:............................................................
.....
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. Happy New year celebration.
Sincerely,
MRS. Roben Gween
Microsoft Promotion Team==================================================
PLEASE NOTE! Any claim not made before (14) working days from date of notification will indicate that the winner has voluntarily forfeited his/her winnings
Click here for the huge list of the names of the currently identified lottery scams companies
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