What with all the spam filters around now some of the more interesting methods of fleecing you may not come to your attention. I got this one a couple of days ago :

WESTWICH SWEEPSTAKES PROGRAM,
BURDENSTRAAT 21B,
2053 DS AMSTERDAM,
THE NETHERLANDS.
FROM:
THE DESK OF THE PROMOTIONS MANAGER,
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT,
REF: WSP/2551256003/77 BATCH: 14/0017/IPD
RE / AWARD NOTIFICATION; FINAL NOTICE
We are pleased to inform you of the announcement today, 5TH MAY
2004, of winners of the promotional WESTWICH NETHERLANDS
SWEEPSTAKES INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS held on 13TH DECEMBER 2003
as part of our yearly bonanza.
Your email identity, attached to ticket number 025-1146-1992-750, with serial number 2113-05 drew the lucky numbers 13-15-22-37-39-43, and consequently won the lottery in the 3rd category. You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$1,000,000.00 (One Million, Dollars only) in cash credited to file REF NO.GSP/2551256003/77.
This is from total prize money of US$20,00,000.00 shared among the
twenty international winners in this category. All participants were
selected through a computer ballot system drawn form 50,000 names from
the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Canada, Europe, USA and North America as
part of our International Promotions Program, which is conducted annually.
We hope with a part of your prize, you will participate in our end of year high stakes US$1.3 billion International Lottery.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Your fund is now deposited with a Finance House insured in your name in the Netherlands. Due to the mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you please contact your claim agent:
JEFFERY SMITH,
FOREIGN SERVICE MANAGER,
DATKONSULT SECURITIES B.V.,
AMSTERDAM, n.l
TEL: 31-630 858 310
FAX: 31-624 142 668
This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unscrupulous act.
For due processing and remittance of your prize money to a designated
account of your choice. Remember, you must contact your claim agent not
later than 5TH JUNE 2004. After this date, all funds will be
returned as unclaimed.
Yours Sincerely,
THE PROMOTIONS MANAGER,
WESTWICH SWEEPSTAKES PROGRAM.
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 claim agent.

Note that now I have told you, all three readers, about it, I am no longer able to claim. Ah well, bang goes this week’s chance to be rich.
I answered, of course, trying to see where they were going to rip me off ( yes children, this is a scam, a way for money to flow from me to them. 14 years of experience in dealing with Russian companies has its uses : I can spot a scam a mile away ).
Here’s the answer :

ATT:
We write to inform you of your claim as a winner of the WESTWICH
INTERNATIONAL SWEEPSTAKE program.They are a client of DATKONSULT SECURITIES COMPANY B.V.
It is my profound duty to inform you of the necessary criteria needed
by this office upon the stipulation aimed at protecting the interest of
all beneficiary due for payment.
There are procedures to be followed for verifications before it can be
ascertain IF you are the real winner of the program;
This are the stages which must be followed as lay down by the
management.
1)There is a VERIFICATION PROCESSING FORM which must be filled and fax back.
2) The NOTARIZATION of your award paper.
3) Legalisation of your POWER OF ATTORNEY.
4) Company charging fee.
From henceforth you will be ing Kindly fill the attached form so that we can carry out our final
verification on your winning before your funds can be transferred.
For further information contact MR.JEFFERY SMITH(CLAIM
MANAGER)on Telephone.
Congratulations in advance.
Best wishes
J.Smith
Claim Manager.
+31-630-858-310

So, let’s see. I must pay a fee to get my claim processed. Hhmm. Can anyone say ” Advance Fee Fraud ” ? I can. In fact, I once sat in on a meeting at the request of my then boss, where a ” professional fund raiser ” told us all about this wonderful method involving Prime Bank Guarantees. I told said boss it was all a fraud and that he should under no circumstances pay the man anything whatsoever. He paid over $ 5,000, never saw the man again and I now work for myself. But back to this week’s offer.
You also note that I must provide a power of attorney ? Hoo boy ! they’re really gunning for it now. Of course, at some point I will be asked to provide the bank account I wish to have the winnings paid into. At that point they will have the legal ability, under that power of attorney, to drain said account.
Man, you want me to pay you money so you can then take more ?
Think I’ll decline to send that claim form in somehow.
The sad thing is that enough people fall for these scams to make them worthwhile. That Mr Smith is a wannabe thief ( yes, you can sue me for libel if you wish, in fact I look forward to it ) is not what I mind. It’s that people fall for it.
If I knew more about technology I would try and find the actual billing address for that phone number he gives. Then send the Dutch boys in blue round. Perhaps a little job for one of the younger and more technologically alert of my readers ?