The Four-One-Nine

Yesterday was a big day for me. At around 11:30 am I received the following email:

JAPAN JUMBO DRAW
FOREIGN SERVICES MANAGER,
PLAZA DE MAR ZHENG HONG KONG
...
We happily announce to you the draw (#1035) of the JAPAN EMAIL PROMOTION LOTTERY, online Sweepstakes International program held today in OSAKA JAPAN. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 45375600545 188 with Serial number 5368/02 drew the lucky numbers(14,33,36,39,42,46)and bonus ball(13), which Subsequently won you the match 5 bonus prize in the 2nd category match 5 plus bonus .
You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of US$500,000,00 in cash (five Hundred Thousand, united state dollars) in cash credited to file ktu/9023118308/07.This is from a total cash prize of US$2,650,000.00 shared among the international winners in the Second category.

Participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from 2,500,000 email addresses of individuals and companies from all part of the world as part of our electronic business Promotions Program.

Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our CHINA booklet representative office in ASIA as indicated .In view of this, your US$500,000.00 ( five Hundred Thousand, united state dollars) would be released to you by any of our payment offices in ASIA as soon as possible.
Our CHINA agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your winning funds as soon as you fill the claims verification form below and send to him.
...
For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information Confidential till your claims is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize.
This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements. Be warned to file for your claim immediately.
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please quote your reference/batch numbers in any correspondences with our designated agent or us.
Congratulations once more from all members and staffs of this program.
Thank you for being part of our promotional lottery program.

Ok...$500k comin' my way. That's pretty good news. You know, enough to make my day look darn good. By the afternoon, everything was looking pretty rosy.

But wait, the day gets better. At 2:30 pm, I received yet another fabulous email:

THE BEIJING 2008 PARTNERS
ASIA AND PACIFIC REGIONAL ANNEX
CORPORATIONS IN ASIA AND PACIFIC REGION
IN SUPPORT OF BEIJING 2008 OLYMPIC

Sir/Madam

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the ONE WORLD ONE DREAM 2008 BEIJING AWARD PRIZE programs conducted and finance by COMMITTEE OF MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS. IN ASIA AND PACIFIC REGIONS Your e-mail address was selected among the balloting done today in the control room , as to keep awareness of the celebration next year, you are also to have five tickets and free flight and hotel accommodation in the whole event
and your price amount is U.S..AD 500.000.00 (Five hundred thousand United States Dollars
As all the big multinational in Asia has join hand to make the event a success
to file your claim and booking contact your Asia accredited agent engr Lee Yang
and provide your details for your payment.

Let me tell you, I was flabbergasted. The second one is especially interesting with the Olympics taking place in Beijing...no doubt the Committee of Multinational Corporations (in Asia and Pacific Regions) is pulling out all the stops. They have to know the whole world is watching the games so they can't afford the promotion to be anything less than amazing.

I have to admit that I was a little stunned by the second email in that they say my price amount is U.S..AD 500.000.00. That seems a tad pricey. Had I not just won $500K in the Japan Jumbo Draw, I wouldn't even be able to consider the One World On Dream 2008 Beijing Award Prize. But, so help me, it's the least I can do if I can help all the big multinational in Asia to join hand to make the event a success.

Even Steven!