Congratulations, your email has won...

How many times have you received an email with a subject similar to this one? I bet you have received hundreds...

This is one of various subject lines scammers (in particular, lottery scams) use to try tempt you to really thinking that you have won some bogus amount of money. All they really want to do is to get you to pay a certain fee for releasing the funds (sometimes its hundreds or even thousands of dollars). As with all scams, all you are doing is wasting your money. Think about it, you get an email from some company (they can pose as well known companies, such as chevron, shell oil, coca cola etc) claiming you have won a prize. Also think, did you even enter your email into that lottery scheme? There are scammers out there that have special software that scans websites for email addresses to send their rubbish to or even send phishing software which steals your vital details.

If you entered into a genuine lottery do you expect to have to pay large amounts of money just to release funds to your account? You most likely don't have to pay anything with a legitimate company (although in most countries you are required to pay lottery tax on winnings, which is perfectly legal).

So if you think you feel suspicious about an email of similar description, the best thing you can do is to just delete it. Replying to them will only let them know you exist and they will keep pushing you into falling for their scams. Be vigilant and be careful.

Here is a copy of another lottery scam mail I got, with the same subject line as this article's title:

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Subject: **CONGRATULATIONS** YOUR EMAIL HAVE WON

gst93@ac-creteil.fr to undisclosed-re.

UK NATIONAL LOTTERY.
THE MARINA HEIGHTS,
ENGLAND.

Your email has won the sum of £864,008.00 GBP(Eight Hundred and Sixty-Four Thousand,and Eight British Pounds) in the UK lottery online Promotions.
You are to contact our claims agent for validation: Mr terry Svensson, Email:svenssonterry@ymail.com ,svenssonterry08@hotmail.com
TEL+44 70457 08821

The online cyber lotto draws was conducted from an exclusive list of 21,000 email addresses of individuals and corporate bodies picked by an advanced automated random computer search from the internet. NO TICKETS WERE SOLD.

CLAIMS REQUIREMENTS:
1.Full names:
2.Home Address:
3.Age:
4.Sex:
5.Phone Numbers:
6.Country Of Residence.
7.Occupation.
Mr. Wesley Cage

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↑ Grab this Headline Animator

The hall of spam scam shame

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

Hi everyone,

I'm sure you have at some point in time received emails claiming you have won millions of dollars from lotteries you havnt even entered into, emails from people needing your help in investing and or moving money from one country to another? It has been said these types of emails are made to manipulate the unwary into participating in a scheme designed to either steal their identity, steal their money, ruin their livelihoods or a combination of these activities. I have fortunately never fallen for one of these so called offers of huge fortunes but there alot of people out there that, unfortunately, have.

When you get certain emails and they seem to offer something too good to be true, it most likely, and often, is just that. Never ever reply to these emails and give them any details whatsoever, instead just delete them or even report them to the appropriate organisations (perhaps the Internet Crime section of your countries' police unit or a related section of similar description).

From time to time I will be adding copies of various emails I get that fit the description. Emails like this deserve a place in "The Hall of Spam Scam Shame".

Here are a couple I received in my inbox today:

Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU HAVE WON

PRIZE WINNER
EURO MILLIONS SPANISH LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL
FROM:INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION / PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
112-113 AVENIDA DE AMERICA 28008
MADRID - ESPANA.

(Ў) REFERENCE: 67/80/CCL
(ЎЎ)BATCH: EGGS-541-623-782
(No Ticket Sold)
**********************************************************
AWARD WINNING NOTIFICATION / FINAL NOTICE
Sir/Madam,
We happily announce to you the draw of the EURO MILLIONS SPANISH LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL
EMAIL WINNINGS PROGRAM PROMOTIONS held on the 20TH OCTOBER 2008 in SPAIN. Your company
or your personal e-mail address attached to ticket number 653-908-321-675 with serial main number
345-790-241-671 drew lucky star winning numbers 34-32-90-43-32 which consequently won in the
2ND category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of Ђ960.000.00 Euros.
(NINE HUNDRED AND SIXTY THOUSAND EUROS ).

The online draws was conducted by a random selection of email addresses from an exclusive list of
29,031 E-mail addresses of individuals and corporate bodies picked by an advanced automated random
computer search from the internet all the continents of the world.This lottery was promoted and sponsored
by Spanish European Lottery Board in line with the King Of Spain (REY) in order to enhance and promote
the use of Internet Explorer Users and Microsoft-wares around the globe.

To claim your winning prize, you should contact the assigned office by E-mail for Processing and
remittance of your winning funds without delay.
The Claims Officers:
NAME:MRS GISELA WILLIAMS
For:: DR TOM J.GARCIA
CONO SUR & CIA S.L
Seguros / Reaseguros Company
COMMISION AGENT, SOLE REPRESENTATIVE,)
CALLE ALBERTO AGUILERA 33,DEPARTMENTO, 2c
MADRID ESPAСA
Email: info.conosl@aol.es
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than two weeks, 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 with the
claim officers.

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.We hope with part of your winning you will take part in our end of year 50 millions spanish International lottery.

Sincerely yours,
MRS,CARLOTA GUILLERMO.http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5188558679786612806
Director Online International Promotions Unit/Lottery Co-ordinator.

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Subject: Contact Mr John Carrick.

simon.mena@sympatico.ca to uk

The sum of £1,000,000.00 Pounds was won by your E-MAIL Address in our Uk End of year Promo. Do get back to this office with your information via( info_johncarrick88@ymail.com )

Names : Conntry : Occupation : Age : Sex : Phone

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