419 scam: MICROSOFT AWARD <alnoor.psh@cyber.net.pk> Your email address has won you a sum of $1,000.000.00

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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "diplomatic delivery"
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united states 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)
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
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.
- +447010053073 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: MICROSOFT AWARD <alnoor.psh@cyber.net.pk>
Reply-To: microsoftclaimdepartment@e-mail.ua
Date: Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:46:58 +0100
Subject: Your email address has won you a sum of $1,000.000.00

MICROSOFT AWARD CLAIM DEPARTMENT.
(UK. Regional Office)
11 Richmond Buildings off Dean Street
London W1D 2HF
6th December 2011

Dear Winner,

It is obvious that this notification will come to you as a surprise but please find time to read it carefully as we congratulate you over your success in the following official publication of results of the E-mail electronic online Sweepstakes organized by Microsoft Corporation, in conjunction with the foundation for the promotion of software products,(F.P.S.) held on Monday 5th of December 2011 here in United kingdom, Your email address has won you a sum of $1,000.000.00 (One Million United States Dollars) with Winning Ref. #: LN23/857/MCL5 /UK and File Number: 267-2011.

To file your claims, you are advised to contact the Microsoft approved claim administrator and forward him your particulars as mentioned below:

.Residential address:
.Telephone number:
.Mobile:
.Nationality/Country:
.Full Names:
.Age/Sex:
.Occupation/Position:

PROCEDURES / RIGHTS AND PRECAUTIONS.

Choose from payment options and Contact the Claims Administrator with all your claims requirements.

(i). INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED CHECK
(ii). UNIVERSAL ATM CARD
(iii). CASH DIPLOMATIC DELIVERY

Claims Agent : Mr Basyl Martyniuk .
Telephone : +447010053073
e-mail : ( microsoftclaimdepartment@e-mail.ua )

Once again, Congratulations and thanks for been part of our 2011 Award Promotion while you are advised to contact our Approved Claim Administrator, Mr Basyl Martyniuk who will further advice you on how to claim your Winning.

Best Regards,
Mrs. Joyce McAllister.
Director, Microsoft Claim Department.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam