419 scam: "MICROSOFT CORPORATION BOARD" <info@Microsoft.com> WINNER NOTIFICATION

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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.
- +447031860895 (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.
- microsftcorporationboard35@email.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MICROSOFT CORPORATION BOARD" <info@Microsoft.com>
Reply-To: <microsftcorporationboard_35@email.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2011 02:20:58 +0800
Subject: WINNER NOTIFICATION

MICROSOFT BOARD
(UK. Regional Office)
Microsoft Building, 40
Rycroft, Way, Stopsley
London W85sp.

Attn: Winner No: 03,

Microsoft Corporation wish to notify all online customers as we celebrates
the 35th year anniversary 2011; 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 £850, 000, 00(Eight
Hundred And Fifty thousand Great British Pounds Sterling) which
consequently won in the 2nd category.

Contact: Dr.Roseline Wood (Mrs) via Email:
microsftcorporationboard35@email.com

Tel: +44703 186 0895 by Providing Below Information for Validation.

.Residential Address:

.Tel: /Mobile:

.Nationality:/ Country:

.Full Name:

.Age: /Sex:

.Occupation: /Position:

. Option for Payment:

.What 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 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!!!

OPTIONS FOR PAYMENT:

*OPTION ONE: VIA COURIER/POST: *OPTION TWO: BANK TO BANK TRANSFER.

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.

©2010 Microsoft Corporation®

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam