A company called Marble Lottery in Liverpool, England e-mail me to tell me that I have won 5 million pounds by random lottery draw. They ask some personal info about me, name, marital status, occupation, phone number, state, and valid id like passport.
They did not ask for my social or bank account number (which I wouldn't give them obviously)
I know that I havn't won this money but was wondering if anyone has heard of this scam or similar and can tell me what they are trying to achieve by telling me this and obtaining this information about me?
2006-12-15 09:04:53 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
No I didn't respond as I know it isn't true, but I didn't realise how so little information would lead to identity theft, I guess I am a little naive.
2006-12-15 09:23:34 · update #1
No I didn't respond as I know it isn't true, but I didn't realise how so little information would lead to identity theft, I guess I am a little naive.
2006-12-15 09:26:27 · update #2
Hey Guys! If you get an e-mail like this and you bank with bank of america you can forward the e-mail to abuse@bankofamerica.com and they will investigate it for you.
2006-12-15 09:44:58 · update #3
I think this is a simple case of personal identity theft. With that information - they could use it to send you promotional items, email spam, brochures, etc... or they coul duse it to obtain more personal information such as your social security number.
2006-12-15 09:08:11 · answer #1 · answered by nljth123 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
P-l-e-a-s-e! These are so common. Do not ever give out any information you do not want published. If you buy online, always be sure you see the padlock on the bottom right of the window, and https (instead of http) before you give a credit card number. It is best not to respond to this type mail, because that will only serve to verify your e-mail address.
In Yahoo Mail, I have opted to display the full heading of e-mail which contains the URL of the sender. When I get this type mail, I carefully open and select the entire message and copy. I then paste it in the message box of an e-mail to an abuse center with the request that this person be shut down.
A word to the wise .....
2006-12-15 17:12:32 · answer #2 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no "Marble Lottery" company and the sender of the e-mail is probably in Nigeria. If you send them any personal information they will use it to create fake documents that make it look like you won something or there is money in an account. If you attempt to collect the money they will ask you for one fee after another until you go broke.
This is called "Advance Fee Fraud" and it is extremely common.
2006-12-15 17:08:51 · answer #3 · answered by jrr7_05_02 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Warning on European lottery scam
Residents of Frome, Somerset, are being warned about bogus lottery letters circulating in the town.
They tell recipients they have won a European lottery but that money has to be deposited before they can claim their prize.
The letters are presented in an official-looking format and ask for information details.
A police spokesman said: "If anyone receives this letter, we would ask they be very careful before responding."
He added: "If in doubt, show it to a neighbor or a relative to get a second opinion before getting involved.
"The alarm bells should ring when companies like this are asking for bank details, personal information, or money to be deposited."
2006-12-15 17:11:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you answered them that's bad enough . They go into your profile and get info from there .... Then they back step by seeing who your signed up with ..... If you have bought any thing off the web sites there will be a memory trail.....The memory trail will give them your bank account number you use to make that transaction... Now they got your bank info . They will go through the back doors on the computer to retrieve your ssn # and much more ..... Boy did you mess up or what .......
2006-12-15 17:11:02 · answer #5 · answered by marshoberg55 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thank God you are intelligent enough to realize the "lottery" is a scam.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
2006-12-15 17:08:15 · answer #6 · answered by soar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Umm are you kidding me i get those 24/7 its called spam all they want is your info so that they can give it to companies and they will call you all the time and send you letters selling you things.
2006-12-15 17:06:41 · answer #7 · answered by lohanaddict 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's an identity theft scam. If you didn't enter a lottery, you couldn't win it.
2006-12-15 17:07:26 · answer #8 · answered by togashiyokuni2001 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They want your personal info so they can steal your identity. NEVER click on a strange email, as most of the time they contain trojans.
2006-12-15 17:07:18 · answer #9 · answered by poppster01 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
only for half ( 1/2 of nothing = nothing - YES it's a scam ) ( fun to get in their database i'll bet junk mail - salesmen at the door - telemarketing calls )
2006-12-15 17:09:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋