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I won, I won!!!

Now, this is a little different than the usually letters I get, but I thought that it was worth posting. I can't believe I won $400 thousand. This is great! Now I can afford to take my wife on that cruise that she has been looking forward to and, of course, as suggested in the letter, I will make sure to use some of my winnings to participate in the next drawing in 3 years. It's really a bummer about the mixup with the names. Let me guess, to clear this up they will probably need my SSN, bank account number, date of birth...

Grade: D
Comments: A creative idea but poorly executed. It almost seems like a disappointing sequel to an interesting movie. The use of the reference number, batch number, ticket number, winning number, however almost makes it seem credible but there is still a too much detail for my taste. It's almost like they are trying a little bit too hard!

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SEA FIELD VENTURES
(ACCREDITED LICENSED AGENT TO GLOBAL LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL)
Ref. Number : 2367/678-0122
Batch Number : 837435611223-GLI/03

Sir/Madam,

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International programs held on the 1st January, 2003. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 27511465896-6410 with Serial Number 4204-777 Drew lucky numbers 7-21-23-54-67-88 which consequently Won in the 1st category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay of $ 400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Dollars). 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 [Abuse? You're telling me people abuse this sort of thing?] of this program by some participants. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn for only for Microsoft users from over 20,000 company and 300,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world. This promotional program takes place every three years.

This lottery was promoted and sponsored by the owner of the World's largest software (MICROSOFT) [wait, you mean Apple isn't the biggest?] , we hope with part of your winning you will take part in our next subsequent stake that will be held in October 2003 of US$2,000,000.00 (Two Million Dollars) international lottery. To file for your claim, please contact our FIDUCIAL Agent [I always wanted my own fiducial agent -- I wonder what one does?] in Spain, MR. TONY MYERS of SEA FIELD VENTURES on 0031-630-681-971 for your wining/Processment and Claim: Please be aware that your Paying Bank will Effect Payment Swiftly upon Satisfactory Report and Verifications provided by our processing Agency (SEA FIELD VENTURES).

Remember, all winning must be CLAIMED not later than Monday 16th of June, 2003. [hey, that will be here before I know it, I had better get moving on this!] 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 AUTHOMATICALY DISQUALIFIED.

Yours Sincerely,

,
Mrs. Evelyn Van Borsch. [Ok, I give up -- what does an accented "s" sound like?]