419 scam: Microsoft Cooporation <ms_board000@live.com> Winner No: 03,

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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.
- briairways_worldcargo@email.com (Email; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Microsoft Cooporation <ms_board000@live.com>
Reply-To: briairways_worldcargo@live.co.uk
Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2011 04:24:03 -0300
Subject: Winner No: 03,

MICROSOFT
(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: Mr. Mac Felix
Email: briairways_worldcargo@email.com

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:
VIA COURIER/POST OR 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.
(C)2010 Microsoft Corporation(R)

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam