Your lucky day

One of my colleagues received this message today, which, apart from being risibly written and fundamentally ludicrous, points out just how mainstream Skype has become, if 419 scammers are invoking its name, particularly alongside that of Microsoft.



Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2009 19:03:24 +0800
> Subject: Congratulations!! *You Have Won 850,000.00 GBP
> From: dzplum@yahoo.com
>
>
>
>
>
> World Annual Skype/ Microsoft Internet Users Award
> 102, Denton Manchester Lancashire M34 3GE
> Annual Random Charity International
> United Kingdom
>
> Dear, Lucky Winners
>
> We happily announce to you the draw of 2009 World Annual Skype/ Microsoft
> Internet Users Award International Program held annually, in United
> Kingdom. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 500-744-3465-A42
> with serial number: 652-112 and draw lucky number: 7202013-05 which
> subsequently won you lottery in the 1st category of files number:
> FA1345U-ID.
>
> Batch Number.0152k Reference Number.02-QH-05 you have therefore been
> approved to claim a total sum of 850,000.00GBP (Eight Hundred and Fifty
> Thousand, Great Britain Pound Sterlings) in Cheque,
>
> All participants in this lottery program were selected annual randomly
> through a computer ballot system, drawn from 100.000.000 individuals email
> addresses from all search engines. Your e-mail address was picked by the
> automated computer ballot system, which has been programmed for this
> random selection. This has eventually qualified you to won our lottery
> prize.
>
> This promotional program held annually, and was promoted and sponsored by,
> Microsoft Inc, and Skype Internet Companies to encourage the use of
> Internet globally together with enhancing improves the lives of citizenry.
> Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our Europe
> representative's booklet in United Kingdom , as indicated in your file
> number: FA1345U-ID. In view of this, your 850,000.00GBP Cheque have be
> released and forwarded to our United Kingdom regional headquarter in
> Manchester, you are hereby informed to contact Manchester on this
> information, for the immediate commence of your Cheque
>
> Mobile Number: +447024064610
> +447024087960
> E-Mail: worldannualskype@yahoo.com.hk
>
> Fill the following details below to enable the speedy evaluation and
> processing of your won prize. 1 Name, 2 Home address, 3 Telephone number,
> 4 Age and occupation, 5 Ticket number, 6 Serial numbers, 7 File number, 8
> Draw number
>
> For security purposes and clarity we advice that you keep your winning
> information confidential, and not to be disclosed to anyone until your
> claim have been fully processed and your winning Cheque delivered to you.
> BE WARNED!
>
> National Coordinator
> Skype/ Microsoft
> Mr Amoosa Amoosa
>