Microsoft gets used in e-mail test hoax

An e-mail hoax has invaded the in-boxes of Cape Girardeau-area Internet users this week, promising that Bill Gates himself will pay thousands of dollars to people who forward the e-mails as part of a "beta test."

Most people who were asked said they just put it into their computer's trash cans.

"I just deleted it," said Ann Hayes, director of the news bureau for Southeast Missouri State University. "I've gotten the same e-mail before over the last couple years, and I delete it every time. It just sounds like a scam."

"PL@semovm.semo.eduEASE READ!!!!" implores the subject line. "It was on the news!"

The e-mail goes on to say that Microsoft founder Bill Gates is "sharing his fortune." Microsoft and America Online, the e-mail says, are running an e-mail beta test to make sure that Internet Explorer remains the most popular browser. A beta test is the second phase of software testing where a not-yet-final version of the software is made available to a limited number of users so that they can test the program and provide feedback.

The message asks people to forward the e-mail to friends and Microsoft will track it for a two-week period. For every person the e-mail is forwarded to, the e-mail claims Microsoft will pay $245. For every person that forwards the message after that, the sender is supposed to get $243. Within two weeks, the message says Microsoft will contact the e-mail user for an address to send a check.

Microsoft officials would only say the company is aware of the hoax.

The e-mail is signed by a Charles S. Bailey, who claims to be a lawyer. There are phone numbers attached, but the only one that works lets callers know that the e-mail is a hoax and that Microsoft does not pay money for forwarded e-mails.

Sophos, Inc., a security and anti-virus company based in Lynnfield, Mass., says this series of Bill Gates e-mail chain letters is topping the charts as one of the most prevalent hoaxes on the Internet.

smoyers@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137