I read the warning issued by the MFSA regarding sham lotteries.

I suggest that readers ought to add the Netherlands to the list. I have received such an e-mail informing me that my "e-mail address" together with another one have won €1.5 million each. (I am at a loss to know how they got my e-mail address.)

It gave me three reference numbers and warned me not to "bridge" (sic) - it meant "breach" - the confidentiality of these numbers.

The e-mail was from: "Drive Incorporation" jackpotlottery007@msn.com, dated January 17, 2006. The message said that it came from "Government Accredited Licensed Lottery Promoters Winning Notice for Category 'A' Winner." I was instructed to contact a Mr Edwards Clarks, Remittance Department Director, Netherlands Development Finance Company (Internet-Drive Incorporation), 107, Vanderloop 1902AB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, e-mail Lotjackpot3@netscaspe.net.

The message was signed: "Mrs Ruth Maryland. Games/Lottery Coordinator. De Lotto Netherlands International www. lotto.nl"

Winning without spending or contributing a cent is always suspicious. I have of course not reacted in any way to such a message that came out of the blue.

May other recipients of such high sounding messages be on their guard not to take them seriously, as the MFSA has warned.

Perhaps the authorities concerned have enough details to possibly take some appropriate action.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.