419 scam: =?UNKNOWN?Q?MICROSOFT=AE?= CORPORATION BOARD <jerzy.brzyski@neostrada.pl> =?UNKNOWN?Q?MICROSOFT=AE?= CORPORATION BOARD 2011 EMAIL DRAW

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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:
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
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!
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- micsoftboardprogram2011@london.com (Outblaze.com, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: =?UNKNOWN?Q?MICROSOFT=AE?= CORPORATION BOARD <jerzy.brzyski@neostrada.pl>
Reply-To: Micsoftboardprogram2011@post.com
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 06:08:04 +0800
Subject: =?UNKNOWN?Q?MICROSOFT=AE?= CORPORATION BOARD 2011 EMAIL DRAW

MICROSOFT=AE CORPORATION BOARD
{UK. Regional Office}
Building, 40 Ryecroft Way,
Stopsley London,
United Kingdom.

Winner No: 03,
Microsoft Corporation wish to notify all online customers as we celeb=
rates the
35th year anniversary 2011, and also to inform you that you have emer=
ged one of
the beneficiary Selected in this ongoing 35th Anniversary Program in =
conjunction
with the Foundation of Software Products (F.P.S.) The Microsoft inte=
rnet E-mail=20
draw is held periodically and is organized to encourage the users of=
the Internet=20
and promote computer literacy worldwide.

A Cheque will be issued in your name by Microsoft Corporation Board U=
K (MCSP),
you have therefore won the entire sum of =A3850, 000, 00(Eight Hundre=
d And Fifty
thousand Great British Pounds Sterling) which consequently won in the=
2nd category.
Contact: Dr. Brian Collins=20
Email: Micsoftboardprogram2011@london.com
Provide below information for validation of your prize
=2EResidential Address:
=2ETel (Mobile):
=2ENationality/Country:
=2EFull Name:
=2EAge/Sex:
=2EOccupation/Position:
=2EWhat is Your comment On Microsoft Products?:
Note: your award security information (Data File Number: UK/9420X2/68=
,
Ref.Code:0087955827499, Grant Number: MSC/0080648302/07)
To file for your claim, Please contact your Validating Officer for VA=
LIDATION of
your winning within Twenty-nine working days of this winning notifica=
tion.
Winnings that are not validated within Twenty-nine working days of wi=
nning
notification are termed void and invalid.

The Microsoft Internet E-mail lottery Awards is sponsored by our CEO/=
Chairman,
Bill Gates and a consortium of software promotion companies.
Congratulations from the Staffs & Members of Microsoft Board Commissi=
on.
=A92010 Microsoft Corporation=AE

Secretary, =20
Mrs. Dora Lazmon=20

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam