Question:
Has anyone heard of a Microsoft Lottery?
Thomas S
2008-03-26 06:08:35 UTC
I received an email saying: Winning Notification From Microsoft Lottery, does anyone know anything about this? I have not received any warning from friends yet. I have not opened the attachment,but it says no viruses, but also says application enclosed. Thanks.
Five answers:
CandyToy
2008-03-26 06:12:41 UTC
sorry this is a scam

delete it

don't open it

see http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/lotteryscam_MSColeSmith.php
fader1000101
2008-03-26 13:13:51 UTC
its a spam email.



From MS, themselves:



Recently Microsoft customers have become targets of this scam, which employs false e-mail messages that promise that you have won "The Microsoft Lottery."



We're sorry to say that you did not win the Microsoft Lottery, because there is no Microsoft Lottery.



These e-mail messages are intended to start a dialogue with people in order to convince them to hand over money or personal information or to click dangerous links on the Web.



This is a type of phishing scam known as an "advanced fee fraud." Its most common form is an e-mail message that claims that you have won a large sum of money, or that a person will pay you a large sum of money for little or no work on your part.



It's also known as the Nigerian Letter or the 419 scam because the scammer often claims to be from Nigeria and 419 is the Nigerian criminal code that this scam violates.



You can use the same general guidance that you use to protect yourself from phishing scams to help protect yourself from these e-mail hoaxes.



• Don't respond to suspicious e-mail messages.



• Don't click links in suspicious e-mail messages.



• Delete suspicious e-mail messages and move on.



• Report suspicious e-mail messages to the Anti-phishing Working Group.
Hermann E
2008-03-26 13:13:59 UTC
It's a prank-I live in Germany and had that Lottery 2 weeks back-DON'T open the attachment-do you really think that Microsoft has a Lottery?
anonymous
2008-03-26 18:13:53 UTC
Sorry friend but there is no Microsoft, Yahoo or other e-mail lottery, it's a scam do not answer do not give personal information.The following sites give more information

http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/nigeri...

http://www.thescambaiter.com/forum/showt...

http://www.hoax-slayer.com/email-lottery...

.Also If you go to the following site you will get some info on ID theft www.identity-theft.org.uk the iinternet is safe enough if you are careful but please answer nothing that you are doubtful about.Good Luck and be careful
Webman™
2008-03-26 14:00:54 UTC
it's one of those nigerian scams, they just want your banking details or whatever else to steal your hard earned money. delete it


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