Should I Answer This Sweepstakes

[Orangeman]

Hi Gang,

Below is some spam I received and accidentally opened. It says I won quite a bit of change....more than 2,000,000 bucks!

Question is: What's the catch?

Here it is:


Ref. Number: 132/756/4509
Batch Number: 538901527-Bc68
Ticket Number: 27522465896-6453

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Winners in our UNIVERSAL STAKES Lottery Program held on the 6TH of September, 2004. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 27522465896-6453 with serial number 3772-554 drew lucky numbers 7-14-18-31-45 which consequently won in the 2ND category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of 2,000,000 EUROS (Two Million EUROS).
CONGRATULATIONS!
Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims have been fully processed and your money Remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid multiple claims and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 20,000 company and 30,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world. This promotional program takes place every five years. This lottery was promoted and sponsored by a conglomerate of some multinational companies in europe as part of their social responsibility to the citizens in the communities where they have operational base.We hope with part of your winnings you will take part in our next year Ten million Euros UNIVERSAL STAKES lottery.

To file for your claim, please contact our fiducial agent:
Mr. LAWSON BAILEY.
Reply Email : [email protected]

Remember all winning must be claimed not later than 20th of December 2004. After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake. Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, 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.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr DAVIS OLIVER.
UNIVERSAL STAKES Lottery (co-ordinator)
N.B: Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the winners will result to disqualification.

Please do not reply to this mail. Contact your claims agent:
Mr. LAWSON BAILEY.
Reply Email : [email protected]

CONGRATULATIONS

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[MadDog]

Universal Stakes Lottery is on the list of Lottery Scams here:
http://www.fraudwatchinternational.c...operatives.htm



MD

[Jeff316]

I'm guessing this is one of the more common variations of the 419 advance fee fraud. Don't do it!!!

Here's an alert with more info - although the lottery isn't specifically mentioned it works pretty much the same way.

http://www.secretservice.gov/alert419.shtml

[imaeditedbysowulo]

Send an email to the FBI. I think this falls under their jurisdiction.

[Major Kong]

Well I say go for it! Then you can pay me back that $5.67 you don't owe me!

[Orangeman]

Yep,

I guess you're right:
http://www.millersmiles.co.uk/identi...ATULATIONS.php

[jaeger]

Play along and jerk em around. See what you can get them to send you.