I'm sure this is a scam, but I'm just curious as to how this works
This is the email I opened up today ( I block out the #'s)

FROM:THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR OF PROMOTION
INTERNATIONAL/PRIZE AWARD DEPT
REF:PL2/------/09
BATCH:18/103/HME.
Dear Sir/Madam
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International
programs held on the 9Th of August, 2004. Your e-mail address attached to ticket
number 43-----------5022 with serial number-------,batch number
856-------,lottery ref number 767------- and drew lucky numbers 7-9-4-17-34-44
which consequently won in category C, you have therefore been approved for a
lump sum pay out of US$1.500,000.00 (0NE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND United
States dollars)
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning
information confidential until your claims has been processed and your money
Remitted to you. 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 40,000 company and 20,000,000 individual email addresses and
names from all over the world. This promotional program takes place every year.
This lottery was promoted and sponsored by Association of software producers. we
hope with part of your winning,you will take part in our next year US$20 million
international lottery. To file for your claim, please contact our fiducial
agent:
================================================== ==============================
================================================== ==============================
=====
Mr. Rook Van Nas
Magnum Securities Company .
Amsterdam Netherland.
Email: mag_security@mail2netherlands.com

================================================== ==============================
================================================== ==============================
======
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 15TH OF OCTOBER,2004. After
this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake. Please note in
order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications please remember to quote
your reference number 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 and thank you for being part
of our promotional program.
Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
Yours Sincerely,
John Smith,
Lottery Coordinator.

so what, am I supposed to give them my accnt info for them to "deposit" the $$ into?

These scams keep getting worse and worse, I guess theres just too many dumb people who fall for them.

 

according to my email i win 4 lottos a day and I have 6 relatives who left me money in africa die every day.

 

http://www.stopecg.org/lottery.htm

 

You probably have to put up some "Good Faith" money to collect your millions.

 

I'm sorry but if people fall for stuff like that they deserve it for being stupid.

 

My relative passed in Australia....several times...! Scam City...I have also heard it said many times that the lottery is simply a "Poor Man's Tax....if so, I have been taxed many times.....The only game in town.....!

 

If you didn't enter a contest, is there any possibility of winning it?

 

email them(they already have that info) and tell them to send you a check! if the bank laughs, report them. if the bank cashes it; buy me a truck!

 

Agreed. I can't belive how gullible some people are. I read stories about the Nigerian scheme every now and then on the internet about how some John Doe sent this person X amount of money repeatedly, thinking he'd get his money or whatever he is supposed to get. If it really was true and that all these people had money just waiting for them overseas and all they'd have to do was send a few thousand dollars to the other person don't you think it'd be all over the media and people everywhere would be doing it?

 

Check out this site http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/HBScams.shtml#lottery

If it sounds too good to be true---

 

Do not reply to those letters. When they get replies, they then know which e-mails are still good from the list they've acquired (be it legally or otherwise) and then they can concentrate other things to those active E-mails.

 

NO MATTER WHAT, DO NOT SEND THEM ANY ACCOUNT INFORMATION!!
They could use it to steal money from you!!

 

The latest Nigerean scheme has been borrowed from Iraq. They actually threaten to track you down and cut your head off (or a loved one's) if you refuse to send them money (ranges from $500 to thousands).

 

The best policy is to delete the message,
do not, under any circumstance, respond in any fashion to the e-mail, to do so only verifies that the address is valid.

 

sounds lovely--I've never had any of these yet, but I look forward to seeing what kind creative ways they've comeup with to get into my pocket book