419 scam: "MICROSOFT COMPANY"<info@msn.com> CONGRATULATIONS

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "million united state dollars" (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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447010049557 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- mr_nicoscott05@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MICROSOFT COMPANY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr_nicoscott05@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:09:25 +0530
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS

CONGRATULATIONS/YOU WON SUMS OF $ 1,000,000:00
Microsoft web / Email usage Campaign
Microsoft Online Promotions
United Kingdom.
REF: ms-475061723
BATCH:22
Ticket:NUMBER 43566
Lucky Serial NO 3772554,
MSN®
Congratulations!!
The prestigious Microsoft has set out and successfully organized an awards
programme to mark our yearly web/email usage awareness campaign, we rolled
out over ONE MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS ($ 1,000,000.00) for the
recently concluded web and email usage promotions. Participants for the
draws were randomly selected and drawn from a wide range of World Wide Web
(www) hosts, from whose patronage we have become what we are today.
Your email address as indicated was drawn and attached REF: ms-475061723
BATCH:22, Lucky Serial NO 3772554,
which subsequently won you ONE MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS ($
1,000,000.00) in our recently concluded promotions/campaign.
Hence you are advised to contact claims and processing agent;
HON:NICOLAS SCOT
Email: mr_nicoscott05@yahoo.co.uk
Mobile No; +447010049557
with the following details to file for claims and avoid delays and
complications of funds claim while the promotions last.
Kindly contact the agent on the above email stating the under listed
informations
**Full Names........................
**Country.........................
**Residential Address.....................
**Occupation..........................
**Age.......................
**Company Name.................
**Phone...........................
Necessary information,s and procedures would be passed accross in due
course. Once again Congratulations and we do like to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
HON NICOLAS SCOT
On behalf of
Microsoft mail usage Promotions Board.
MSN® /2013

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam