419 scam: Microsoft Promotion Award Team <infoihss@mcom.com> MICROSOFT WINNING NOTIFICATION.... PROMO

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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:
- "here in london united kingdom" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand great british pounds" (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)
- "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. )
- "zentec.agenct@contractor.net" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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.
- +4407024044595

Fraud email example:

From: Microsoft Promotion Award Team <infoihss@mcom.com>
Reply-To: zentec.agent@contractor.net
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:30:35 -0500
Subject: MICROSOFT WINNING NOTIFICATION.... PROMO

Microsoft Promotion Award Team
23 South Way WIW London,
United Kingdom.
MICROSOFT WINNING NOTIFICATION.... PROMO

The prestigious Microsoft® Windows XP Corporations wishes to inform you that
your e-mail address emerged as one of their online lucky Winners selected from
our private computerized lottery drawn here in London United Kingdom and this
selection process was carried out through a random selection in our
Computerized
Email Selection System (C.E.S.S.) from a database of over a million email
addresses from the world wide web. This promotion was set-up to encourage the
active users of the Internet Microsoft® Windows. Hence we do believe that with
your winning prize, you will continue to be active and patronage to the
Microsoft® Windows XP Corporations.
Therefore you have won the sum of £500,000.00 pounds {Five Hundred Thousand
Great British Pounds}. A winning cheque will be issued in your name by the
Microsoft® Windows XP Corporation and also a certificate of prize
claims will be
sent to you along side with your winnings cheque. You are to make contact with
your designated agent who shall by duty, guide you through the process of
facilitating the release of your Prize.

For claims,you are advised to contact your designated appointed agent with the
following details below.

Zentec Security
Mr Astrid Pedersen
Email:zentec.agenct@contractor.net
Direct Tel.Line;+44(0)702-404-4595

VERIFICATION AND FUNDS RELEASE FORM.
1. Full Name:..............
2. Address....................
3. Occupation:..............
4. Nationality...............
5. Tel No........................
6.Date Of Birth....................

Once again on behalf of all our staff and Managements we say CONGRATULATIONS!

Sincerely,
Microsoft Promotion Award Team,
United Kingdom Sub Region.

Este mensaje y documentos adjuntos son de uso exclusivo del (los) destinatario(s) y puede contener información confidencial y no divulgable. Queda prohibida su lectura, utilización, divulgación o distribución no autorizada. Si usted no es el destinatario de este mensaje, agradeceremos destruir su copia y alertar al remitente.

This email message and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam