Experiment Log

[protegechris]

Okay so we all know these scams you get in your emails.. "You've won the lottery" and things like that.'

I've decided to go through and see where they try to scam you at.

12:34am 10-9-04: Received the following email:

from preciousfavour0@netscape.net
PRECIOUS LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL AGENCY
Ref. Number: 455/756/8888
Batch Number: 2361354302-TB04

Sir/Madam,
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International programs held on the 8th of October 2004, your e-mail address attached to ticket number 229500411169-4213 with serial Number 8892-008 drew lucky numbers 8-77-08-03-23-55 which consequently won in the 1st category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of One Million United States Dollars (US$1,000,000) CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Due to some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information
confidential until you file for your claim. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.
All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 30,000 company and 70,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the World. This promotional program takes place every year.This lottery was promoted and sponsored by some eminent personalities who do not wish to declare their identity for security reasons.
To file for your claim, please contact our fiducial Agent:

Mr. Moris Smith
Email: preciousfavour01@netscape.net

Remember, all winning must be processed not later than 8th of November 2004 or when authentic proof is given for the delay of filing your winning claim. Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, remember to quote your reference and batch numbers in all correspondence.
Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once more from our members of staff for being a Winner in our promotional program.
Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.

Sincerely yours,

Mrs. Precious Favour
Lottery Co-ordinator.

Notice the names don't match, but they use the same email address for "moris smith", which is the same address this came from, signed from "mrs. precious favour". Obviously this is a poorly thought out scheme.

12:40am 10/9/04: I decide to pull the email out of the recycle bin and see what happens. SO I send this email:

to preciousfavour01@netscape.net

I was informed I won a lottery, and was told to contact you in order to claim it.

1:30pm 10/9/04: Received this email:

from preciousfavour01@netscape.net
DEAR WINNER,
PRINT AND FILL OUT THIS ATTACHED LOTTERY CLAIM FORM AND SEND BACK AS AN EMAIL ATTACHMENT OR BY FAX.IF YOU CANT VIEW THIS ATTACHED FORM,PLEASE CONTACT THIS OFFICE.
REGARDS,
MR. MORIS SMITH.




PRECIOUS TRUST AGENCY
ADDRESS: Koningshoef 882 1104 AA, the Netherlands.
TEL: 0031-650-548-522.
FAX: 0031-847-310-711.

CLAIM/ VERIFICATION APPRAISAL FORM
REF: 547/446/2215 No: NLI/04/-655

Your application for the claim of your lottery winning prize will be duly processed for settlement and swift credit be made upon the verification and certification approval. Hence, carefully fill out the attached form appropriately in the column provided below to facilitate our immediate commencement of your claim processing.

FULL NAME OF BENEFICIARY...............................................................................................................

ADDRESS........................................................................................................................................................

CITY/STATE................................................................. COUNTRY............................................................

ZIP CODE................................................ MARITAL STATUS..................................................................

NATIONALITY............................................... SEX.......................... I.D No................................................

E-mail (1)......................................................... E-mail (2)...............................................................................

TEL.................................................................. FAX........................................................................................

DATE OF BIRTH................................................... NEXT OF KIN.............................................................

OCCUPATION...............................................................................................................................................

WINNING INFORMATION

IN FIGURE................................................. IN WORDS.................................................................r......

LOTTERY REF N................................................. BATCH Nr....................................................................

SERIAL Nr............................................ TICKET Nr................................ LUCKY Nr............................

LOTTERY DATE............................................. CLAIMANT’S SIGNATURE.........................................

Sequel to the pending, you are required to fill out the form and send back to our office for data reconfirmation and validation. You will be required to pay our compulsory Agency processing fee of €510 Euros to enable us complete our verification and send your claim file to the paying department. The security/primary hold on your winning fund would not allow us to deduct our Agency processing fee. The paying bank would contact you after we have submitted all relevant documentations regarding your winning and certification of our processment.

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY.

Checked by...................................... Confirmed by.............................. Agent’s signature/remark...............

LEGAL DEPARTMENT: LEGAL DEPARTMENT: LEGAL DEPARTMENT: LEGAL DEPARTMENT.




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In the next post I will post the form I was sent.

[squakMix]

Notice the names don't match, but they use the same email address for "moris smith", which is the same address this came from, signed from "mrs. precious favour". Obviously this is a poorly thought out scheme.

The email adresses are different...

[protegechris]

I received this file with the email, and here is what it looks like.

I found the scam...

You will be required to pay our compulsory Agency processing fee of €510 Euros to enable us complete our verification and send your claim file to the paying department.

[protegechris]

Sure about that?

Mr. Moris Smith
Email: preciousfavour01@netscape.net

and the original email was from that address and was signed:

Sincerely yours,

Mrs. Precious Favour
Lottery Co-ordinator.

Seems these people should be busted.

..Is it illegal to pretend to be a federal agent?

[Bilbo Baggins]

Please use the edit button, you should know that by now.

[protegechris]

Wow, sorry, I had completely not realized I had just posted O_O

[yenerich]

Have to be carefull with emails!!!