This scam came to our spam email address – one that is only ever used to contact scam artists and don’t list anywhere else. So it’s pretty clear that the scammers share resources or buy lists of potential marks. But beyond that, this scam attempt contains all the usual signs of a scam without looking too hard.

First thing you should notice beyond winning a contest that you never entered, with an email address you never gave out to anyone, let alone a contest, is where the scam email originates. The scam artist claims to be working for Honda Company Promotion, located in London England, yet the email is sent from a bellsouth.net email address. Once again, a real company uses their own email addresses, not freely and readily accessible disposable email addresses. Bellsouth.net is an American company.

Next is the reply to email address. We are lead to believe that we are dealing with the Honda Corporation based in London England, yet the reply to email address is wilsoncollins@tlen.pl. That email address is based in Poland. So we have three things wrong with just the email addresses listed. We haven”t called the phone numbers yet, but very often these will be real phone numbers, which the scammers have set up temporarily to conduct their scam. Often they buy a cell phone that they dispose of after a few weeks to help hide them from the authorities.

For the scam itself it’s the usual you were selected to win a prize, but you must stay quiet until your prize is awarded. And you had better act fast as there is a deadline to meet. Don’t fall for the pressure tactics employed here. Reputable companies bend-over backwards to assist customers – especially ones who have one legitimate contests.

Finally, another quick and easy way for anyone to identify this as a scam is to start searching on a search engine the various pieces of the email. Starting with the ”Honda Company Promotion”. When you put that phrase into a search engine the first four or five listings all nail this as a scam! So if this email or one similar lands in your email inbox – ignore it, delete it and move on, it’s a scam. If you have already sent off your information or worse, best you contact the local authorities in your area to alert them and seek their professional assistance.

Full email below:

HONDA COMPANY PROMOTION

HONDA COMPANY PROMOTION (HEADQUARTERS)
Customer Service Department
An Affiliate of Honda UK.
#28 TANFIELD ROAD, CROYDON,
LONDON, ENGLAND.

TICKET NUMBER:7885715823
SERIAL NUMBER: 857-448
BATCH NUMBER : CR-757YT24-97

We are pleased to inform you of the release of the long awaited results of the HONDA CAR INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION PROGRAM held on the 3rd August 2007 at 20.00 GMT. You were entered as dependent client with; Reference Serial Number: 857-448 and Batch number CR-757YT24-97.

Your email address attached to the ticket number: 7885715823 that drew the lucky winning number, which consequently won the sweepstake in the first category, in four parts. You have been approved for a payment of 250,000.00 Pounds Sterling (TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND POUNDS STERLING) in cash credited to file reference number: HNC/4587962584/JK6

This is from a total cash prize of Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Pounds Sterling shared among the ten international winners in first categories, along with a new blue car. Congratulations!

All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from 50,000 (Fifty thousand) names of email users around the world, as part of our international promotion program. Due to mix up of some names and addresses, we ask that you keep this award personal, till your claims has been processed and your funds remitted to you.

This is part of our security measures to avoid double claiming or unwarranted taking advantage of the situation by other participants or impersonators You are contact our accredited agent for your claim.

Name: MR WILSON COLLINS.
E-mail: wilsoncollins@tlen.pl
TEL: +447011136124
TEL: +447045712490
HONDA CLAIMS SECURITY AGENT.

He is your agent, and responsible for the processing and transfer of your winnings to you. YOUR SECURITY FILE NUMBER IS H-85749-G42/H6 (keep personal) Remember, your winning must be claimed not later than 24th August2007.

You are required to forward the following details to help facilitate the processing of your claims and certificate which will facilitate the release of your winnings.

1. Full Names:
2. Residential Address:
3. Phone Number:
4. Fax Number:
5. Occupation:
6. Sex:
7. Age :
8. Nationality:
9. Present Country:

A scanned photo identification of your self should be sent via email. You are advised to forward these information”s as soon as possible to enable us attend to your file. Once again, Congratulations.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. Steve Scott (Co-ordinator)
HONDA COMPANY PROMOTION UK.
Open 7days-24hrs-365days a year