This spam I got the other day is another very generic lottery scam but all dressed up.

There was a waving flag from Burkina Faso also included no less. The original e-mail came dressed with a myriad of colours I did not reproduce here. But take a look at the capitalization and other enhancements to get attention. 

And then this e-mail has the gall to tell you to keep it confidential. Of course the customary “Please send your money to…” is there too.

In some of my e-mails, I get these scamming spams regularly. Many security experts – really just people like you and I but they’ve had alot more thrown at them – advise marking them as spam and simply do not open them. But, some of them you will not be sure until you do take a look.

Of course if you realize what they are, it could be almost funny and some are totally hilarious unless you happened to have become a victim.

Take a look – reproduced in full.

[[!!!CONGRATULATION!!!CONGRATULATION!!!
  Lottery Award <uk.loto.awad3@msn.com>
  

Burkina Faso

FROM THE EMAIL LOTTERY PROMOTION AWARD COMITEE
NATIONAL LOTTERY OF BURKINA FASO
AFFILIATE OF NATIONAL LOTTERY UNITED KINGDOM
AVENUE CHRLES DE GUILE
OUAGADOUGOU BURKINA FASO
 MOTTO : CELEBRATING THE DIFFERENCE YOU’VE MADE
€850,000.00 EMAIL SELECTION AWARD WINNING  PRIZE 2009
 
 !!!CONGRATULATION!!!
 
Dear Lucky Winner,
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the E-MAILS LOTTERY RAFFLE DRAW an  International program held on the 24th of July, 2009.Your e-mail address was attached to the following informations
     
 
(1) TICKET NUMBER:             6325698-44596-222
(2) SERIAL NUMBER:             BATCH/410-32659
(3) LUCKY DRAW NUMBER:  4014-236985744-596
 
which consequently won in the 2nd category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum payment of €850,000.00 (Eight Hundred and fifty Thousand Euros).
 
NOTE: Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your claim has been processed and your money remitted to you. This is part of our security protocols to avoid double claiming 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 from all over the world.
 
 This promotional program takes place every year. This lottery was promoted and sponsored by International software organization committee, we hope with part of your winning you will take part in our next coming (1million euro) international lottery.
To file for your claim, Please contact the claiming Agent stated below to receive your winning Money immediately:
 
NAME: Mr Collins Smith
email:  claimingmanager01@hotmail.fr
 
CONGRATULATIONS: Contact your claim agent for due processing and remittance of your prize money to a designated account of your choice. Remember, you must contact your claims officer not later than 31st of August, 2009. After this date, all funds will be returned as unclaimed.
 
NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to quote your reference numbers in every one of your Correspondences with your officers. Furthermore,should there be any change of your address, do inform your claims officer as soon as possible. Congratulations again from all our staff and thank you for being part of our Promotions program.
 
Best Wishes.
The Management,
Lottery Organisation.]]