* * * * *
                                        
             I'm a winner! I'm a winner! I'm a … oh wait a second …
                                        
> **From:** Van Dyke <coingogame@earthling.net [1]>
>  **To:** webmaster@conman.org
>  **Subject:** WINNING NOTIFICATION/FINAL NOTICE
>  **Date:** Mon, 28 Jul 2003 21:53:16 +0200
>  
> 
> COINGOGAMES EMAIL-LOTTERY
> 
> FROM: COINGOGAMES PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD DEPT. 
>  REF: CEL/2311786008/01
>  BATCH: 14/011/IPD
> 
> RE: WINNING NOTIFICATION/FINAL NOTICE 
> 
> We are pleased to inform you of the result of the of the COINGOGAMES
> Lottery International programs held on the 28th of July 2003. Your e-mail
> address attached to ticket number 20511465886-629 with serial number 3772-
> 99 drew lucky numbers 7-14-17-23-31-44 which consequently won in the 2nd
> category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of One
> Million United State Dollars (US$1,000,000) 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 100,000 company and 50,000,000 individual email addresses and names
> from all over the world. This promotional program takes place every three
> year. We hope with part of your winning you will take part in our end of
> year 50 million Euro International lottery. To file for your claim, please
> contact our Fiduciary Agent MR. RICHARD MYERS OF QUANTUM DIPLOMATIC COMPAN,
> TEL: 0031-612-481-990.
> 
> Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 11th of August 2003.
> 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.
> 
> Sincerely yours,
> 
> Van Dyke.
> 
> (Winning Coordinate)
> 

Wow! I won!

Woo hoo!

But I've never heard of COINGOGAMES, so I did what I usually do and did a
Google search [2] and imagine my surprise when a lot of mailing lists won,
but due to a mixup …

Another Google search [3] (this time, quoting part of the message) revealed
some interesting [4] information [5] about this so called “International
Lottery”—need I tell you it's a scam?

Didn't think so.

[1] mailto:coingogame@earthling.net
[2] http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=COINGOGAMES
[3] http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Due+to+mix+up+of+some+numbers+and+names%2C+we+ask+that%22&btnG=Google+Search&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
[4] http://pileofcrap.org/comments.php3?ArticleID=340
[5] http://pileofcrap.org/comments.php3?page=15&ArticleID=351

Email Sean Conner at sean@conman.org

.