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Bill Gates marketing ploy?

I have received an email which has been forwarded by a friend. The email states that it originates from microsoft and they will pay cash $245 to be precise for every email your friends forward to someone else. It further states that Bill Gates can afford it, and some people have received thousands of dollars, two weeks after forwarding their email. Apparently microsoft want to track emails to find out what share of this type of communication they have. My friend is obviously convinced, and urges me to forward it to as many people as possible so he can get paid. I am more cinical. Can this do any harm? Is it a scam? If it is a scam, what is the point of it?

Comments

  • April2
    April2 Posts: 508 Forumite
    Delete it. Don't send it anywhere.

    IMHO, it's a variation on the old chain letter thing and, although it can't really be described as a scam as such (who gains?), people sending it on just clogs up the internet with stupid e-mails.
    Their - possessive pronoun (owned by them e.g. "They locked their car").
    They're - colloquial/abbreviated version of 'They are'
    There - noun (location other than here e.g. "You can buy groceries there") OR adverb (in or at that place e.g. "They have lived there for years") OR adverb (to or towards that place e.g. "Go there at noon") OR adverb (in that matter e.g. " I agree with you there").
  • April2 wrote:
    Delete it. Don't send it anywhere.

    IMHO, it's a variation on the old chain letter thing and, although it can't really be described as a scam as such (who gains?), people sending it on just clogs up the internet with stupid e-mails.
    yeah i am in full agreement.

    nobody will give you money for doing something so simple.
    'What's poignancy grandad?'

    'It's the cordon bleu of emotions sonny'
  • dragonsoup
    dragonsoup Posts: 511 Forumite
    Sounds mighty like a hoax

    I check these out at http://www.snopes.com

    Haven't had a genuine one yet!
  • Phonix
    Phonix Posts: 837 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Bill gates marketing ploy is called FUD, I see it pretty much everyday of the week, but in a more precise and powerful way.
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