419 scam: Micro-soft Claims Department <micro@netsite.com> Estimated End Of Year Winner

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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:
- "hundred thousand great british pounds" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
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: Micro-soft Claims Department <micro@netsite.com>
Reply-To: m.s.pro.operation@live.co.uk
Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2012 02:50:50 -0200
Subject: Estimated End Of Year Winner

Congratulations!

This is to inform you that you are among the five (5) Lucky winner of the Microsoft Promotion held on 1st of November 2012. This program was carried out through the aid of our Online Electronic E-mail Address Balloting System, and aimed at encouraging and
rewarding online hosting and this objective is to make a notable change in the standard of living of people all around the Universe, you will only be chosen to receive the donation once.

Be notified, that you are a beneficiary of a cash prize of £300,000.00 GBP Three Hundred Thousand Great British Pounds.Based on the random selection exercise of internet websites and millions of supermarket cash invoices worldwide,these Draws are commemorative as
special that you do not need to buy any ticket to enter the draws.

Here are the details of winners:

Ticket No.: 27522-46896
Serial No 652-662
Security File No.: UKMA-74M40LA

As part of our security protocol to avoid Duplication of claims, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential until you have redeemed your won prize. For more information on how you are to claim your prize won, please contact our Promotion Claims

1. Full Names:________________________
2. Place of Residence:_________________
3. Country:____________________________
4. Telephone Number:___________________
5. Age:_________________________________
6. Sex:_________________________________

Promotion Claims Department
Recommended Agent: Mr. Larry Miller

Microsoft® respects your privacy. All rights Reserved

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam