Description
There are several variants of this chain letter being forwarded around the
internet. It is very similar to the Dear
YAHOO User chain letter.
The text of the first version reads as follows:
Urgent: Please Forward!
Hello to everyone from the Hotmail Headquarters! This is just a
little test to see who is actively using their email account and in
effect deleting all inactive users accounts. This process will make
the whole site faster and easier to use for the active users. Now on
to what to do with this email. All you have to do is forward this on
to at least 10 registered Hotmail users. If you don't forward this
on within 48 hours of reading it, your account will be deactivated
momentarily until you contact Hotmail Headquarters.
The text of the second version reads as follows:
READ THE PARAGRAPH IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR HOTMAIL
ACCOUNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Hotmail User,
Because of the sudden rush of people signing up to Hotmail,it has come to our
attention that we are vastly running out of resources. So, within a month's
time, anyone who does not receive this email with the exact subject heading,
will be deleted off our server.Please forward this email so that we know you
are still using this account.
WARNING WARNING
We want to find out which users are actually using their
Hotmail accounts. So if you are using your account, please pass this e-mail to
every Hotmail user that you can and if you do not pass this letter to anyone we
will delete your account.
From Mr. Jon Henerd
Hotmail Admin. Dept.
Our hotmail system is getting to crowded!! We need you to forward this to at
least 20 people. I know this seems like a large number, but we need to find out
who is really using their account. If you do not send this to at least 10
Hotmail members, we will delete your account. Sorry for this
inconvenience.
Sincerely, Director of Hotmail Services
Aaron Lopez
In February 2003 a new version of the Hotmail hoax was first seen. It
includes some obvious spelling mistakes:
Dear Hotmail User,
We understand that you have previously recieved many messages that have
state the colising of accounts not being used within our servers. This
message, however, is your final warning. Within this message is encoded a
small program that will located and debug your account when sent to
fifteen other Hotmail users. If you do not send this message to fifteen
Hotmail users within 24 hours of recieving this message, your account will
be PERMANETLY SHUT-DOWN. When and if you send this, we herebygrant that
you will no longer recieve such messages as this one.
We realize that this process is becoming an annoyance, however, this is
the final message you will recieve from the Hotmail Announcement staff.
Thank you for you time and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Calvin W. Kreantz
MSN Accounts Coordinator
In November 2003 a new variant of the hoax was first seen, claiming that
people who forwarded it to enough people would receive more functionality
the hoax’s text reads as follows:
Hotmail is offering active users the new Extra Storage block&contact
feature!
Ever wanted to know if you have been blocked? With the new block&contact
feature available for MSN Messenger you will now be able to have up to 500
contacts on your list, and be able to see who is blocking you! Extra
Storage downloads are now offering you the download FOR FREE! Read down to learn
how to get this, quickly and easily!
Extra Storage features don't stop there!
No, Extra Storage feature doesn't just mean new special block&contact
features. You will now be able to create new accounts with a single click and run as
many MSN Messengers as you want (use different accounts at once)!
Get Extra Storage
It's easy. Everyone with an hotmail.com or msn.com account can get these
upgrades FOR FREE!
Send this email to 5 people for the free Block feature!
Send this email to 10 people for both the Block feature and contact list
extender (500 contacts)!
Send this email to 15 people for the Block feature, Contact extender,
Account maker AND multi MSN!
If you do this you will recive a pop up message from our admin giving you
the upgrade for MSN Messenger!
Original Source : https://www.sophos.com//en-us/threat-center/threat-analyses/hoaxes/chain-letter/hotmail