14 DAY TRIAL // This is just shameless! Hackers have always used high-profile names in their schemes but now, they are abusing Microsoft's image to scam gullible users. Please read this article in full, and do not let yourself fooled if you ever get such an e-mail!
I've seen a copy of the message on The Register, and you can view it there in full by just clicking on this link. The message is huge and has an official look to it, but I'm going to sum it up for you, in the next paragraphs.
As usual, when scamming, these guys simply can't help themselves not to talk about security. Most scam e-mails contain the fact that the sender is very concerned about the receiver's security and that they will help them in some way... this is all bogus! The only thing they care about is scamming you!
Anyway, the message goes something like this: Many people have been scammed, so we, "The Miscrosoft Corporation" are going to compensate 419 of them. Then they go on ranting about Internet security, and how many hackers have already been caught, since this is all a part of a big program to make the Web safer. It all just makes me sick! At some point, they tell you that they are going to give you at least 100.000BP if you can prove that you have been scammed on the Net. They also state that many others have already been compensated, and that there is no need for you to fear any scamming (yeah, right!) since they are using the most secure banking systems in the world. Also, the message is filled with a the names of a lot of serious organizations or corporation, all this just to make you believe them. As I've said, the e-mail is huge and is written in a credible way, but let's be serious, you can tell it's a hoax the minute you start reading it; it even tells you that you are going to be given a lot of money, by Microsoft! These scammers are lame!
Anyway, this e-mail is just the beginning, you have to reply to it and they will send you more info, which if you as me translates as: "Send us a reply, so we can properly scam you!". Whatever you do, do not let yourself tricked by such e-mail scams.