Competiton Email claiming I won, but saying I need to send them my details including Passport number

Gtiracer · 18 Jul 2018 at 11:38

Received an email regarding a competition that I did actually enter a short while ago claiming Im one of the winners.

I have been asked to send back a form with Name address, passport number and signature on it. If Genuine, The gift I think would be coming direct from Taiwan? Is there any reason why they would need this info (Passport No. & Signature)?

Usually Im very skeptical about things like this, but its written in very good English and looks genuine, with an attached file (virus free) and proper hyperlinks

Ree · 18 Jul 2018 at 11:41

tell them you dont have a passport?

MikeTheNative · 18 Jul 2018 at 11:41

If you send me your bank details I will check.

ci_newman · 18 Jul 2018 at 11:42

Unless the prize is something extremely valuable (and even then I would be doubtful) don't take the risk.

I can't think of any reason at all they'd need your passport.

MikeTheNative · 18 Jul 2018 at 11:45

I wonder if the organiser of the competition got hacked and the email list got leaked. OP are you sure it's from the correct email address?

Gtiracer · 18 Jul 2018 at 11:47

MikeTheNative said:
I wonder if the organiser of the competition got hacked and the email list got leaked. OP are you sure it's from the correct email address?

Well it certainly appears as genuine as can be, unless there is another way to delve deeper and check that I am unaware of, even offers the same company telephone with an extension for him in Taiwan

SC0TTRS · 18 Jul 2018 at 11:47

Is there a contact telephone number you can use to confirm this suppose win?

Ricochet J · 18 Jul 2018 at 11:48

"Good evening sir,

I am calling about the moneys owed to you...."

Rannoch · 18 Jul 2018 at 11:48

I would bet everyone who entered the competition won lol

Gtiracer · 18 Jul 2018 at 11:48

SC0TTRS said:
Is there a contact telephone number you can use to confirm this suppose win?

yes I may just give it a go

SC0TTRS · 18 Jul 2018 at 11:49

BTW, what have you won?

Rannoch · 18 Jul 2018 at 11:51

SC0TTRS said:
BTW, what have you won?

I would image its a good dose of identity theft.

Gtiracer · 18 Jul 2018 at 11:52

SC0TTRS said:
BTW, what have you won?

If true, an AVermedia Streaming kit.

Was a world cup competition they were running on Facebook

I have just messaged them through Facebook to see if they can confirm I won or if it was a hoax email, hopefully that should confirm it

SC0TTRS · 18 Jul 2018 at 11:55

Why do they assume you have a Passport?

Em3bbs · 18 Jul 2018 at 12:01

I often wonder if people actually fall for things like this. I guess this answers my question.

Diddums · 18 Jul 2018 at 12:01

You win a free ticket to next year's Gay Pride march. Congratulations

Em3bbs said:
I often wonder if people actually fall for things like this. I guess this answers my question.

Some people are beyond help.

VincentHanna · 18 Jul 2018 at 12:04

You know there's loads of fake competitions on Facebook, right?

mmj_uk · 18 Jul 2018 at 12:05

It sounds totally legit. I'd send £5000 for good measure.

Orionaut · 18 Jul 2018 at 12:06

SC0TTRS said:
Why do they assume you have a Passport?

Presumably for the same sort of reason that all these corporations invariably assume internet access and smart phone ownership.

Having said that, Even people who do not travel have been encouraged to get passports as a sort of back door ID card for some years now and many organisations will ask for passport details to prove identity.

Diddums said:
You win a free ticket to next year's Gay Pride march. Congratulations

And a free pair of black leather Arsless chaps...

SC0TTRS · 18 Jul 2018 at 12:07

Orionaut said:
And a free pair of black leather Arsless chaps...

pmsl!