Sony Ericsson Cautions about Fraud Competition Mails

Sony Ericsson has been informed about a spam mail allegedly coming from the company claiming that the e-mail campaign is an effort to enhance popularity.

Allegedly, the e-mail says that Ericsson will give a free laptop to the recipients who forward the information given in the mail to other users. It asks to forward the information to nearly eight people within 14 days after getting the mail to get the wining prize.

The fraud e-mail also informs that after forwarding the said e-mail with 14 days, users will get an Ericsson T18, and if the mail is forwarded to 20 users or more, he will get Ericsson R320. Actually, Ericsson R320 and Ericsson T18 are cell phones and not laptops, which indicate that the mail is not authentic and a fraud campaign.

Further, the e-mail highlights that free circulation of laptops is an endeavor of the company to compete with Nokia as Nokia has already used this promotional campaign to increase its popularity. Nevertheless, the security experts comment that Nokia did not give any free laptops to users who forwarded the emails.

To make the mail appear genuine and legitimate, it contains a photograph of Sony Ericsson logo and gives the contact number or email address of Sony Ericsson.

But Sony Ericsson says that the email is a fraud and it is not associated with the scam. The company adds that the contact address provided in the mail is not authentic and is worried that the users will be duped into following the directions.

The company also states that all promotional campaigns and competitions of Sony Ericsson operate via authorized media or channels like partners of Sony Ericsson's websites or Sony Ericsson website. Hence, it is advised to users to remain cautious against any competition or campaign that seems to be outside of Sony Ericsson or its certified media. The phone manufacturer adds that users should be wary of spam mails or SMS.

As a deterrent measure, the security experts suggest that users should not reply to any of such mails.

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» SPAMfighter News - 5/25/2009