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Microsoft Yearly Bonanza Award Scam

Recognize and Avoid Lottery Scams with this Example of a Scam from "Microsoft"

By , About.com Guide

Have you received an email claiming that you've won the Microsoft Yearly Bonanza Award Scam? Every day, people are tricked into handing over money or vital information by sweepstakes scams. However, once you get used to how these scams look, they are easy to avoid. Here is an example of a classic lottery scam claiming to come from Microsoft.

From: Keser <[redacted]@mail.dumlupinar.edu.tr>
To:
Subject: Attn:

You have won the sum of Seven Hundred And Ten Thousand Pounds from Microsoft Company on our 2010 Yearly bonanza award.

You are to contact him with your details below; 1.Name. 2.Address. 3.Nationality. 4.Age. 5.Occupation. 6.Phone/Fax.

Contact Person:Donald Preece
Email:[redacted]@discuz.org
Tel:+44 702 408 [redacted]

Congratulations once again.
Regards,

Dr.Mary Simon
Microsoft Online Coordinator

Signs that the Microsoft Yearly Bonanza Award is a Scam

How did I know this email was a scam? It matches several of the warning signs listed in the Top Signs of a Sweepstakes Scam. Namely:
  • I didn't enter the "Microsoft 2010 Yearly Bonanza Award"
  • It comes from overseas.
  • The email address that it comes from doesn't match the so-called sponsor (neither dumlupinar.edu.tr or discuz.org match Microsoft)
  • It never mentions my name or any other information specific to me.
  • The spacing, capitalization, and grammar are off.
Verdict: Lottery Scam.

Do you receive sweepstakes scams in your email? Click on share your sweepstakes scam examples to tell us about them and help other readers avoid scams.

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