419 scam: "Microsoft Online Promotions" <info@microsoft.co.uk> Microsoft Online Promotions

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "customerscare_atmdept@w.cn" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" scams)
- "customerscare_atmdept@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!

Fraud email example:

From: "Microsoft Online Promotions" <info@microsoft.co.uk>
Reply-To: customerscare_atmdept@w.cn
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:51:20 -0000
Subject: Microsoft Online Promotions

Congratulations!!!

This is to officially inform you that ATM Card Number: - 4278 7631 0003
0014 has been accredited in your favor. Your E-mail has brought you an
UNEXPECTED luck of £ 500, 000. 00GBP, this is one of our Thirty six
lucky Promotional Award Prize in the Microsoft Windows Promotion, it is
also to promote & encourage the use of Microsoft Products Worldwide. We
request you to clarify your personal identification information upon
your contact with the payee bank as your winning number fall within Asia
Continent, to redeem your AWARD
E-mail, your BATCH NUMBER: 074/05/ZY369 and REF NUMBER: UK/9420X2/68

HSBC BANK LONDON.
(Credit & finance)
Mr. Susan Richard
Email: customerscare_atmdept@w.cn

BATCH NUMBER

REF NUMBER

FULL NAME:

HOME ADDRESS:

PHONE NUMBER

COUNTRY:

OCCUPATION:

SEX:

AGE:

Once again, Congratulations

Mrs. Cyril Wesner
Head Customercare Service
Microsoft Promotion.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam