I recieved an Email saying that my Email address had been placed in a sweepstake by Microsoft and PBL Group, and I had won a cash prize from powerballlottery.dpt@yahoo.co.uk. It request my full name, address and telephone number, which I supplied. I then got another Email sayingThat everything was in order and that I am to go to London to collect my Prize, the address given is a P.O.Box in London. So I am wondering is this kosher or a scam? Is anything known about this?
2007-07-07 07:29:54 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Games & Recreation ➔ Gambling
Apart from the impossibility of following their procedure (how does one go to a P. O. Box?) doesn't it strike you as suspicious that a legitimate business operates from a P. O. Box?
Doesn't it strike you as suspicious that they give money away without taking any in, in the form of an entry fee?
If it is a scam, then it is surprising that they haven't asked you for money to release your prize to you (a notary's fee or somesuch nonsense) yet.
In my view you should contact the Police (Fraud Squad) and see if they know of this operation already?
Presumably Powerball is a business name of the National Lottery and you could contact them as to whether they hold such a competition and whether collecting the prize in person is a requirement of that event or not?
I am sure they would be interested to know if there is another "Powerball" organisation and would have a legal case against them for using their copyrighted name and pretending to be them.
Similarly Microsoft and PBL may be interested to know their names are being used in this way. Knowing how Bill and Melissa Gates donate large sums to charities through their foundation, e.g. for refrigeration projects for vaccines used in African countries, I do not see them just giving money away, when they have better targeted and more focused uses for it, do you?
There is a small possibility that the game plan is to harm or kidnap the victims of their scam and demand money for their release, so you should not attend any prize-giving occasion alone, without police advice as to whether this is a bona fide organisation or not. Remember what happened to estate agent Suzy Lampugh when she set out to an unknown address, told nobody where she was going, and then disappeared without trace?
Scams work because people get greedy and do foolish things in the belief that an e-mail from out of the blue is trustworthy and reliable. It generally isn't.
2007-07-07 07:54:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Steve G! what in the world was you thinking about giving out that information to someone that you don't even know? When you got that email and read the contents, you should have know it was a scam.
To win a lottery you much purchase a ticket. Did you buy one, Steve G? Red flag number 1 should went off in your mind.
If you knew about powderball lottery or any lottery that Microsoft and PBL doesn't support any kind of gambling activity. Red flag number 2 should went off in your mind.
If you have won the powderball lottery, now think about this...you will be holding the ticket in your hand and when all the number match up you would be jumping up n down. Right!! And you have to go to the powderball official office to collect the your winnings. No one from the office knows who bought the winning ticket and know how to contact the winner. Red flag number 3 should went off in your mind.
Using Yahoo to get in touch with you. Again, how did they know you won the lottery and how did they get your email address to get in touch with you? Red flag number 4 should have gone off in your head.
Since you provide them with your full name and address, its highly possible that you will be a victim of ID thief. They might contact you later and ask you for personal information (i.e. bank info ..checking/saving, SSN) if not , they can take what info you send them and paid $7 for all your personal information on you.
Now, going where? London, you said. Powerball is not base in London. How much did they said you won? Did you check your local news paper on the lastest Powerball winning? That Red flag 5, 6, and 7! its a scam, ok. its a scam. Listen many people have been getting the same email that they won money from a lottery base in London. And none of them never bought a lottery ticket to win. And most of them are fallen for the email claim that they're lottery winner. Again its a SCAM
2007-07-08 14:23:59 · answer #2 · answered by Thomas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a SCAM..
Think about it.. If you won a Lottery... Anywhere in the WORLD..... Don't you think they would fly you out there so, they can have you on TV and whatever else...
Think about it.. Here in the US.. If anyone wins anything even near a million.. Its all over the newspapers and TV...
There probley going to try and steal your identity or after you fill out Payment Processing.. There going to say please send us (about) $5,000 for the taxes and processing fees...
So, I wouldn't do anything but, just ignore them.. Or write back and say.. Send me the money and I'll send you the info back once I received it..
They will never answer you back.. and I would try and call you Internet provider and tell them about it...
Good luck with everything and let us know what happens...
Jay
2007-07-07 11:01:34 · answer #3 · answered by Jason 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont take any further action on this email as it is a scam.if you go to the national lottery website they have a section there telling you all about these scams.
it is just a trick to get you to divulge personal information so they can either set up a false identity or drain your bank account.
if you havent entered a lottery you cant win a prize.
2007-07-07 08:34:14 · answer #4 · answered by suejones987 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No usa lottery will advise u by email.... POWERBALL is USA only though winners are not all us citizens.
Its a hoax...but even more so....never give out personal details or financial details to anything that is unsure or questionable.
Especially this kind of deal.
2007-07-10 05:21:18 · answer #5 · answered by pcreamer2000 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't get anything for nothing, it's a scam do not answer do not give personal information.The following sites give more information.
www.scambusters.org
www.hoaxbusters.ciac.org
www.scambusters-419.co.uk
www.truthorfiction.com
.Also If you go to the following link you will get some info on ID theft www.identity-theft.org.uk the iinternet is safe enough if you are careful but please answer nothing that you are doubtful about.Good Luck and be careful.
2007-07-07 07:53:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you didn't enter it, you didn't win it. If you receive notification by email for anything that you didn't specifically sign up for, it's a scam. General rule of thumb, ignore all of these.
2007-07-07 07:38:43 · answer #7 · answered by Sarah A 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't go buying a new car because it is a SPAM letter. Just delete it.
2016-05-20 23:06:08 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very much a scam. If it sounds toi good to be true, then it is.
Just ignore it and delete.
2007-07-07 07:33:45 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scam!
Would any legit company be using a @yahoo.com email address?
2007-07-07 07:33:57 · answer #10 · answered by 'Dr Greene' 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋