Loteria e-mails and Spam?

One point that lottery e-mails all have in common is they freely explain to the receiver that their e-mail address was illegally used for the fictive promotion.

Although they do not say how they were in possession of the e-mail address. The crooks do use harvester bots to go through websites trawling for any e-mail address which can be found. Unfortunately, there are enough websites where this sort of information is in plain text.

Today, website administrators are usually aware of this and offer legitimate users valid contact details, but cloak e-mail addresses so they are not recognised by the bots. Of course, this will not stop anybody collecting addresses manually, but it doesl make life easier for a lot of people by stopping Spam e-mails at the source.

Similar e-mails in the Crime Online Archive

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Co-ordinator {Euromillionlottery}
Date: Oct 28, 2007 11:48 PM
Subject: You are a Loteria Award winner 2007 !!! {Ref. Nº: ES/007/05/12/MAD.}
To: undisclosed-recipients


Euro Million Loteria Award
Paseo De La Castellana
15-89, 28008 Madrid,Spain Branch.
Ref. Nº: ES/007/05/12/MAD.
Batch. Nº: GHT/2907/333/05.
www.loteria.com

YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS WON THE LOTTERY.

We wish to congratulate you over your email success in our computer BALLOTING SWEEPSTAKE held on October 27th, 2007. This is a millennium scientific computer game in  which email addresses were used. It is a promotional program aimed at encouraging internet users; therefore you do not need to buy ticket to enter for it. Your email address attached to ticket star number (9901-0148-790-691) drew the EUROMILLION lucky numbers 3-19-26-49-50 which consequently won the draw in the Second category.You have been approved for the star prize of EUR 987,248.26.00 (NINE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY SEVEN THOUSAND,TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY-EIGHTY EUROS TWENTY-SIX CENT ONLY).

CONGRATULATIONS !!!

You are advised to keep this winning very confidential until you receive your lump prize in your account or optional cheque issuance to you. This is a protective measure to avoid double claiming by people you may tell as we have had cases like this before. You are required to provide the information below: Name, Telephone Number, Fax Number, Wining Ticket Number, Reference Number and Amount Won. This information For processing of your winning fund should be sent to our registered claim agent in address below.

LIBERTY SEGUROS AGENCY
Mr. Pablo Carson
Address: Correduria de Seguros Meila Lequetica 8 28004 Madrid, Spain.
Telephone: 0034693256508.
E-mail:mrpablocarson@aim.com

Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than November 17th, 2007. Please note, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, remember to quote your reference number and batch number in all correspondence. Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible.

ONCE AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS.

Best Regards,
Mrs. Emily Brooks,
Lottery Co-Ordinator.
The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to whom or which it is addressed. Unauthorised use, disclosure or copying is strictly prohibited. The sender accepts no liability for the improper transmission of this communication nor for any delay in its receipt.