I Have Won a Million Dollars from Microsoft (eMail Scam Vanity)

Arrived in my eMail ^ | 12-27-04 | "MRS. SLOTHMAN JOSS"

[dr_pat]

At the risk of losing out on a million dollars, I had to share this gem that arrived in my eMail today. (Just in case, I have removed the critical reference numbers [grin].) I guess this person working for "William Henry Gates III and His Giant" is exempt from using even the rudimentary tools for spell- and grammer-checking built into Microsoft applications.

MICROSOFT WORLD INTERNATIONAL SWEEPSTAKES B.V
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS.
FROM: THE DESK OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR.
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD DEPT

snip

Dear Winner,

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Internet compensation promotion programs held on the 27th of December, 2004 and it is aimed at compensating frequent Internet explorers in all over the world. Your e-mail address... drew from lucky numbers {excised} which consequently won in the 2nd category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$1,000,000.00 (ONE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) only by the Microsoft World Company, payable in cash credited to security file numbers; {excised} at the Netherlands Payment Authority.

CONGRATULATIONS! Due to the mix up of some numbers and email addresses, we ask that you keep your winning information’s confidential until ... money remitted to you in cash or into your provided bank account... This is part of our security protocols to avoid unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants. MICROSOFT WORLD INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION COMPANY is a global leader in international software... a great opportunity to anyone looking to increase sales through email marketing! so you can realize your dream of financial independence.

snip

This compensational program was promoted and sponsored by William Henry Gates III and His Giant cofounder of the Microsoft Corporation, holds 30.7 percent of its stock making him one of the richest people in the United States and the world today...

To obtain your claim, please contact the processing department;
MRS. LIZZY EDMOND,
FOR DR.LUKE DAVIES (DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS).
ECOWORLD WIDE INTERNATIONAL BV.
(MICROSOFT ACCREDITED LOTTERY CLAIM AGENCY IN THE NETHERLANDS).
TEL: +31-610-085-416.
Email: ecoworldinter@netscape.net

Remember, all winnings must be claim not later than 14th of January, 2005...

Congratulations once again... Finally, Any breach of confidentiality on the part of any winners will result to disqualification.

Yours Sincerely,
MRS. SLOTHMAN JOSS. (LOTTERY CO-ORDINATOR).
MICROSOFT WORLD INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION.

If you're interested, I have posted the whole text at my blog, but I have excerpted the nuttiest part here.

[dr_pat]

Who knew that BBeV Harris had gone to the Netherlands?

[AZamericonnie]

Wow! Hey this guy is looking for you....
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1309168/posts

[bayourod]

You FOOL! You probably just lost One Million Dollars by posting this. Didn't you read the part about keeping it confidential?

I would give you proof beyond any doubt that this is legitimate but I am constrained by my own confidentiality agreement.

[dr_pat]

Thanks for the link, I think. Are you suggesting I might need to notify the Mods about spotting this as a scam?

...Hey, AM! Let me teach you how to suck eggs...

[AZamericonnie]

No...but he's looking for donations & with your new found wealth sounds like a match made in heaven! :)

[dr_pat]

I would give you proof beyond any doubt that this is legitimate but I am constrained by my own confidentiality agreement.

Well, I did change my name and excise the reference numbers. How can they tell I'm not talking about some other scamprize announcement?

...Keep in mind, this person can't even punctuate her own eMail correctly...

[nightingale104]

It's true? I'm afraid it is a trick or scam. You receive your claim?