Silver Birds Lottery? Is this a scam?

[Emanku]

So, I was checking my e-mail when I find one that I didn't expect at all. Here was some e-mail claiming I've won 5 000 000 Euros. WOW! I did a bit of research and am pretty sure this is a scam. However, if anyone has any informations, it would be helpful.

Here's what the e-mail said:

FROM: THE DESK OF THE PROMOTIONS MANAGER.
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS / PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT
REF NUMBER: 2551256003/03.
BATCH NUMBER: 12/0002/IPD.


We are pleased to inform you of the result today,11th of May, 2004 winners of
the Silver Birds LOTTERY,DK / INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS held on the 28th of April,
2004. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 111-2465-2000-100 with
serial number 3543-07 drew lucky numbers 12-16-22-39-39-43 which consequently
won in the 2nd category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out
of (5,000,000.00 EUROS)(FIVE MILLION EUROS)
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
For security purpose and clarity, we advise that you keep your
winninginformation confidential until your claims have been processed and your
money remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol
to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some
participants. All participants were selected through a computer ballot
system drawn from over 20,000 companies and 30,000,000 individual email
addresses and names from all over the world. This program takes place
every year and we look forward to your active participation in our end of year
20 Million EURO slot.Please note that our CLAIMS AGENT will contact you to
assist you with the claim and transfer of your winnings fund into your
instructed account in the name of IAN SMITH AND ASSOCIATES.


Note that, all winnings must be claimed not later than three weeks after
notification. After this date all unclaimed funds will be null and void.

Congratulations once more and thank you for being part this program.

Your are kindly advise to contact your claims agent via email below:

( IAN SMITH AND ASSOCIATES )

Email: ian_smith2004@yahoo.com

Sincerely yours,

MANAGEING DIRETOR:
MR ANTHONY JAMES
(Silver Birds Lottery Coordinator) Dk.

[inkhana]

It's a scam...I found a copy of the exact same letter (and actually, variations of the same letter) with a different email. Anything that involves money and comes with a yahoo addy attached to it should be highly suspected anyway.

[EireWolf]

If it sounds too good to be true... it probably is.

Don't EVER ... EEVVEERRRRRR... give personal information to these people. This is how THEY get YOUR money. They have no intention of giving you anything but grief.

[Azier the Swordsman]

A word of advice for the internet: NEVER EVER trust any email saying that 'you've won money' or offering so called 'easy ways to make money' which involve giving personal information out.

The internet is an easy place to get scammed if you're not careful.