I received a variation of the old e-mail lottery scam this morning, so I thought I'd post it to warn others.
It comes under the subject line Visa Card Award Promotion. It's amazingly silly, but you'd be surprised just how many gullible and desperate people there are out there who fall for this scam.
I love the part that warns about breaching confidentiality -- you can't tell anyone that you won! (The grammar is also a wonder to behold.)
VISA CARD AWARD PROMOTION
Wibaustraat 100,1102bg,Amsterdam
Netherlands.
Email:karin.b.meijer@mxs.de
Our Ref: EGDLP/ 322 /456-X/05 Date: April 25,2005.
Your Ref:................................
Dear Sir/Madam,
VISA CARD AWARD PROMOTION.
We are pleased to inform you of the result of our computer random selection for the Visa Card Award Promotion held on 22nd April, 2003.Your Email address attached to ticket number 24 28 33 44 51 drew the lucky star number, which consequently won the draw for our April Bonanza.
You have been approved for the STAR PRIZE of One Million Dollar ($1.000.000.00 ).
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
You are advised to keep this winning very confidential until you receive yourlump prize in your account. This is a protective measure to avoid double claiming by people that you may tell.
Contact your claims agent urgently with your name , telephone and fax numbers; on their details given below; DANIEL PETERSON LOXTORY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Tel: + 31-623-603-828
Fax:+31-847-300-848
EMAIL: lfinancial@mails.de
Please forward your winning ticket number, your personal contact information such as name, telephone and fax with the name of the PROMOTION CO-ORDINATOR as stated below for the immediate processing of your claims. All prizes must be claimed within two weeks.
NOTE: If you are under the age of 18, you are automatically disqualified for this star prize.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs.Karin Meijer
(Promotion Co-Ordinator)
N.B. Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the winners will result to disqualification.