419 scam: "MICROSOFT PROMOTION"<ciemczyslaw@interia.pl> Microsoft Corporation Anniversary Grant Award

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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:
- "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 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.
- +447017049554 (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.
- microsoftawardlotter2013@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- contact: ms. vath koan via email: [microsoftawardlotter2013@yahoo.co.uk] ww.micro-softawardlotter@london.com tel: +447017049554 (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "MICROSOFT PROMOTION" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <microsoftawardlotter2013@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2013 03:22:52 +0530
Subject: Microsoft Corporation Anniversary Grant Award

Microsoft Corporation Anniversary Grant Award
MICROSOFT® CORPORATION BOARD
{UK. Regional Office}
Building, 40 Rycroft Way,
Stopple London,
United Kingdom.

Attn: Winner;

Microsoft Corporation wish to notify all online customers as we celebrates the 35th year anniversary 2013; and also to inform you that you have emerged one of the beneficiary Selected in this ongoing 35th Anniversary Program in conjunction with the Foundation of Software Products (F.P.S.) The Microsoft internet E-mail draw is held periodically and is organized to encourage the use of the Internet and promote computer literacy worldwide .A Cheque will be issued in your name by Microsoft Corporation Board UK (MCSP), you have therefore won the entire sum of £2.500.000.00 GBP(Two Million Five Hundred Thousand. Great British) which consequently won in the 2nd category.

Contact: Ms. Vath Koan via Email: [microsoftawardlotter2013@yahoo.co.uk]
ww.micro-softawardlotter@london.com
Tel: +447017049554
Provide your Payment Consultant with your Full Details to enable him process your payment:
1. Full name_ ___________________________________
2. Address_ 176308_____________________________________
3. Total Amount Won_____________________________
4. Date of Birth__________________________________
5. Occupation _________________________________
6. Mobile Number________________________
7. Nationality__ __________________________________
8. Next Of Kin_ ____________________________________
9. Winning E-mail ________________________________
10. Sex_ _________________________________________
11. Religion_ ______________________________________
12. Date of winning_____________________________
13. Age ______________________________
14. Marital Status _____________________________
15. Country ______________________________
16. State ______________________________
17. Company _____________________________
18. HOW DO YOU FEEL AS A WINNER____________________________
19. Attached copy of Your I.D: (Either International passport or Driver’s License)
.What is your comment On Microsoft Products?

Note: your award security information (Data File Number: 0FLO9622UK, Ref.Code:88713865371083, , Grant Number: MSC/0080648302/07).To file for your claim, please contact your Validating Officer for VALIDATION of your winning prize. Winnings that are not validated within Twenty-nine working days of notification are termed void and invalid. For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claim is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever choice you want to claim your prize, Precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program are in place. Please be warned!!!

The Microsoft Internet E-mail Awards is sponsored by our CEO/Chairman, Bill Gates and a consortium of software promotion companies. Congratulations from the Staffs & Members of Microsoft Board Commission.©2013 Microsoft Corporation
MR. JOHNSON HILL
FINANCIAL INFORMATION SERVICES
FOR: MICROSOFT PROMOTION TEAM

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam