©07 The Media Desk
http://themediadesk.com
[NOTE: Both the originating spammer and the 'reply to' address from the body of the email were reported to the box's ISP. ]
As far as can be determined from the information in the email, the 'lucky draw' as described does NOT exist. Yes, there are overseas lotteries and sweepstakes just like there are in the US. No, you will not win any of them.... especially if you have never bought a ticket. Yes, the Desk will buy the occasional Powerball ® ticket, no it hasn't won either.
And, oh, by the way, if you do play an International Lottery from in the USA, don't tell anybody.... because it is ILLEGAL! See the Federal Trade Commission for more information. Site is: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/intlalrt.shtm
The below email is simply an attempt to steal from you, and a rather clever one at that.
Usually the Foreign Lottery Scam works by the criminal telling you that you have won some enormous amount of money, but they need some pittance from you to process the funds, this 'good faith money' on your part will ensure that you are not a crook. You send the money, the real crook vanishes into the hinterland with your cash.
In this one, the crook isn't asking for money, no, he just wants your identity.
On the form enclosed in the email lines 9 through 12 are garbage. What they want is everything else, enough specific information to start the real crime of opening a line of credit in your name. It is remarkably similar to the form the Desk got last year from another scammer running a 419 gig that resulted in the Desk getting a Death Threat before the plug got pulled on the scammer's email accounts- see article the 419 scam is alive and well.
In any case, this IS NOT your chance to cash in for millions. (At the exchange rate on the day this article was written it would be just under six million US dollars.) No, this is your chance to be taken for everything your worth.
The Desk did report all of the below to the ISPs involved. As yet, it has heard nothing back.
Also note: this would probably count as a breach of confidentiality so the Desk supposes it will not be cashing its check any time soon. Oh well.
AGAIN:
Do NOT REPLY to these things. Do not send them any info. Do Not Forward Them. DELETE THEM!
SCAM SPAM EMAIL posted as received below. Emails and INTERNATIONAL Phone Number in the UK, which confirms what the FTC said on their info page, have been slightly edited. Thank you
To: The Media Desk 'spam magnet' mailbox
From: Gerald Newton: lottoagent @cox.net
Sent: Monday, June 4, 2007 1:19 PM
Subject: Congratulation, You Just Won Three Million Pounds
2007 WINNING NOTICE
Dear Recipient,
RESULTS FOR JUNE 2007 CATEGORY "A" DRAWS
We are happy to inform you that you have emerged a winner under the MAY. LUCKY DRAWS second Category, which is part of our promotional draws. The draws were held prior to your notification.
Participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from 4,000,000names/email addresses of individuals and companies from Africa, America, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Middle East, and New Zealand as part of our International Promotions Program.
You/Your Company, attached to ticket number IL353/04/46 with serial number IL35376EW drew the lucky numbers 12, 14, 19,21,23,5 (8), You have therefore been awarded a lump sum pay out Three Million Pounds (3,000,000.00 GBP) in cash, which is the winning payout for Category winners.
NOTE: For easy reference and identification find below your reference numbers.
Note that you are to forward this email to the (Claims Agent) for your prize claim processing.
REFERENCE NUMBER: MA/02/453876752/NL
Claims Agent Contact
Mrs. Kathleen Albright
CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS: kathleenalbrightoffice1 @jmail.co.za
Phone number: +44-701-114-(various numbers)
N.B.ANY BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY ON THE PART OF THE WINNERS WILL RESULT TO DISQUALIFICATION. PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MAIL BOX,
1. FULL NAMES: ________
2.ADDRESS: _______
3. SEX:_______________
4. AGE: ________
5. MARITAL STATUS: ___________________
6. OCCUPATION: ________________________
7. E-MAIL ADDRESS: ________________________
8. TEL AND FAX NUMBERS: _____________________
9. REFERENCE NUMBERS: ____________________
10. TICKET NUMBER: ___________________
11. SERIAL NUMBER: __________________
12. AMOUNT WON: ___________________________________
13. STATE: __________________________________
14. COUNTRY________________________________
Upon receipt of the duly requested data, I will send you the contact information of the paying Bank so you can proceed with effecting the release of your claims.
Note: Any funds unclaimed by 28th of this month shall be returned to this office as unclaimed and used for our up coming mega jackpot games.
Sincerely,
Gerald Newton.
END SCAM SPAM EMAIL
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