Phishing on a Corporate Level

I think some people think they're funny. Sometimes I look at the spam emails I get. Sometimes. For some reason I got a kick out of this one. I've heard about the scams from Nigeria, but seriously, whoever thinks that people will think that Coca Cola is going to have an international promotion based in Nigeria is nuts. What does it say? Here we go.

Coca Cola International Promotion
No. 45 Ihama Road,Gra,
lagos,Nigeria

First thing. The address. Nigeria. Shouldn't that be your first clue?

Award Notification Final Notice.

This is to inform you of the release of the Beginning of the year Coca Cola International Prize Promo Held on the 1st April 2007. This result was initially delayed due to mix up of numbers and addresses, the result were finally released on the 20th April 2007, and your name attached to Ticket
number: 165-654-098-653-110 with Serial number: 1330-01, which drew the lucky number: 25-85-76-34-09-23, which has consequently won the Prize Promo in the first category of the year 2007.

I'm totally going to believe this since I (1) always purchase Coca Cola products, (2) got a ticket to participate in the contest.

You are therefore approved for a lump sum payout of $450,500.00 (Four HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ONLY) in cash accredited to file reference number CL/018174955002-13, this is from a total cash prize of $3,006, 000.00 ( THREE MILLION SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS ONLY) Shared among the Five International Winners in this category.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Wow. Four hundred and fifty thousand five hundred dollars only?!?. And only five people won. Wow. I feel honored.

Your funds is now in a security company with your prize money insured in your name. Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep this award from public notice until your claim has been processed and money remitted to you as this is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unwarranted taking advantage of this program by participants as it has happened in the past.

This is one of the longest sentences ever...

All participants were selected through a computer ballot system/shopping ticket-foils and traveling ticket-foils drawn from 25,000 Company names and individual names from Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, America, Africa and North America as part of our annual-international promotional program. We hope your lucky name will draw a bigger cash prize in the next high stake promotion.

Whatever.

To begin your Prize Promo claim, please contact our Attorney,Mr.Gerry Wayne, Payment and release order department. Complete the below processing form and return by E-mail to our Attorney. Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later than 31st June 2007. After this date, this fund will be returned to the Coca Cola PROMOTIONS DEPARTMENT as unclaimed funds.

Submit by e-mail. Yes. That is official. Obviously.

CLAIMS PROCESSING FORM

FULL NAMES:_________________
ADDRESS: ___________________
CITY:_______________________
STATE:______________________
COUNTRY_____________________
SEX:________________________
AGE:________________________
MARITAL STATUS:_____________
OCCUPATION:_________________
TELEPHONE NUMBER____________
E-MAIL ADDRESS:_____________
TICKET NUMBER:______________
SERIAL NUMBER:______________
LUCKY NUMBER:_______________
FILE REFERENCE NUMBER_______
AMOUNT WON:_________________
NATIONALITY_________________
MODE OF PAYMENT:
(a) Wire Transfer
(b) Cashiers Cheque brought to you by Courier

REPLY IMMEDIATELY

Do contact our Attorney
Mr. Gerry Wayne
Email: mr.gerrywayne222@hotmail.com
Office Number: +234-802-558-1266
(Working Hours 9.00 AM - 4.00 PM)

I think someone should actually try to call these people and tell them they're nuts. Totally nuts. They should read http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/contactus/myths_rumors/packaging_award.html.