There is certain fallacy in the assumption that grizzled hair makes one wiser. And a personal example kind of endorses that statement: My beautiful grey hairs have done nothing for my grey matter. And even if I am warned a million times I succumb so daftly to the great Hope. I guess age only tweaks the gullibility factor.
The case I am making out here is the great e-mail spam trick. The e-mails that flood my mail box have subject heads that are ambitiously disguised to entice an opening.
“You have won a lottery!” “Check this”, “Urgent”, “Re”, “It’s Me” even an audacious "Thanks for last night!" and a million other heads that have all seen nothing but the trash. I have been quick to delete without even the slightest peek. Very clever of me! But sometimes Subject heads beyond my wildest dreams lead me into temptation and deliver me into …..
Here is a mail from the Volkswagen Automobiles Company that had me clicking hard on the mail to open up. The subject said: File for your prize!!
After all I had just won a car. What luck! It warranted an opening.
But on careful reading- the mailer just wanted my identity. To perhaps to create another like me. Is the mailer an identity thief?
Read it and tell me I am wrong. Tell me it is a prize winning letter. I am still hoping. I guess I am a born sucker.
ENGINE TYPE:...........................6 Cylinder
POWER:........................................145bhp
TRANSMISSIONS:.......................Automatic
FUEL:............................................29.1mpg(combined )
DRIVE TYPE: .................................. 2 wheel drive
The selection process was carried out through random selection in our computerized
email selection system(ess) from a database of over 250,000 email addresses drawn from all the continents of the world.
The Volks Wagen Car Promotional Lottery is approved by the British Gaming Board and
also Licensed by the The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR). This lottery is the 3rd of its kind and we intend to sensitize the public.
To begin the processing of your prize you are to contact your claims officer through our accredited Prize Transfer agents as stated below:
===============================================================
Mr. John Elliot,
22 Garden Close, Stamford,
Lincs, PE9 2YP, London .
United Kingdom .
Tel: +44702 402 6166
Fax: +4487006989981
===============================================================
contact him, please provide him with your secret pin code x7pwyz2006 and your reference number VM:12052006/21.You are also advised to provide him with the under listed information as soon as possible:
Claims Requirements:
1. Name in full----------------------------------------------------------------
2. Address----------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Sex----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Nationality/Religion------------------------------------------------------
5. Maritual Status------------------------------------------------------------
6. Age---------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Next Of Kin----------------------------------------------------------------
8. Occupation-----------------------------------------------------------------
9. Phone/Fax-------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Present Country----------------------------------------------------------
11. A scanned copy of your Identity sent via email attachment.
===============================================================
If you do not contact your claims agent within 7 working days of this notification,your winnings would be revoked. Winners are advised to keep their winning details/information from the public to avoid fraudulent claim (IMPORTANT)pending the transfer/claim by Winner.
*Winner under the age of 18 are automatically disqualified.
*Staff of the Volkswagen Company are not to partake in this Car Promotional Lottery.
Accept my hearty congratulations once again!
With Best Regards
Mr Henry Hills
Lottery Manager.
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