Hoax Warnings

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 Netscape and AOL have recently merged to form the largest
 internet company in the world. In an effort to remain at pace
 with this giant, Microsoft has introduced a new email tracking
 system as a way to keep Internet Explorer as the most popular
 browser on the market. This email is a beta test of the new
 software and Microsoft has generously offered to compensate
 those who participate in the testing process.

 For each person you send this email to, you will be given $5.
 For every person they give it to, you will be given an
 additional $3. For every person they send it to you will receive
 $1. Microsoft will tally all the emails produced under your name
 over a two week period and then email you with more
 instructions. This beta test is only for Microsoft Windows users
 because the email tracking device that contacts Microsoft is
 embedded into the code of Windows 95 and 98.

There's also an addition to the above hoax:

 I know you guys hate forwards. But I started this a month ago
 because I was very short on cash. A week ago I got an email from
 Microsoft asking me for my address.  I gave it to them and
 yesterday I got a check in the mail for $800.  It really works.
 I wanted you to get a piece of the action.  You won't regret it.

This addition was created by hoax author later. There exists a Dutch version of this hoax. There is also a modified variant of this hoax:

 I am forwarding this because the person who sent it to me is a
 very professional business person and a good friend and does not
 send me junk.

 Microsoft and AOL are now the largest Internet company and in an
 effort make sure that Internet explorer remains the most widely
 used program, Microsoft and AOL are running an e-mail beta test.
 When you forward   this e-mail to friends, Microsoft can and
 will track it (if you are a Microsoft Windows user) for a two
 week time period.

 For every person that you forward this e-mail to, Microsoft will
 pay you $245.00, for every person that you sent it to that
 forwards it on, Microsoft will pay you $243.00 and for every
 third person that receives it, you will be paid $241.00. Within
 two weeks, Microsoft will contact you for your address and then
 send you a check. I thought this was a scam myself, but two
 weeks after receiving this e-mail and forwarding it on,
 Microsoft contacted me for my e-mail and within days, I received
 a check for $24,800.00.

 You need to respond before the beta testing is over.

 If anyone can afford this Bill Gates is the man. It's all
 marketing expense to him.

    Do Well!!!

In December 1999 there appared another version of this hoax with a 'solid' proof from an attorney:

 I'm an attorney, and I know the law. This thing is for real.
 Rest assured AOL and Intel will follow through with their
 promises for fear of facing an multimillion dollar class action
 suit similar to the one filed by Pepsico against General
 Electric not too long ago. I'll be damned if we're all going to
 help them out with their e-mail beta test without getting a
 little something for our time.

 My brother's girlfriend got in on this a few months ago. When I
 went to visit him for the Baylor/UT game she showed me her
 check. It was for the sum of $4,324.44 and was stamped "Paid In
 Full".  Like I said before, I know the law, and this is for
 real. If you don't believe me you can email her at
 jpiltman@baylor.edu. She's eager to answer any questions you
 guys might have. Thanks, Dirk. I know I'm already in.

 Moore, Dirk wrote: If you don't do this, you must be really,
 really dumb.

 From: James M. Schwarnica

 This is not a joke. I am forwarding this because the person who
 sent it to me is a good friend and does not send me  junk. Intel
 and AOL are now discussing a merger which would make them the
 largest Internet company and in an effort to make sure that AOL
 remains the most widely used program, Intel and AOL are running
 an e-mail beta test. When you forward this e-mail to friends,
 Intel can and will track it (if you are a Microsoft Windows
 user) for a two week time period.

 For every person that you forward this e-mail to, Microsoft will
 pay you $203.15, for every person that you sent it to that
 forwards it on, Microsoft will pay you $156.29 and for every
 third person that receives it, you will be paid  $17.65 Within
 two weeks, Intel will contact you for your address and then send
 you a check.  I thought this was a scam myself, but a friend of
 my good friend's Aunt Patricia, who works at Intel actually got
 a check for $4,543.23 by forwarding this e-mail.

 Try it, what have you got to lose????

There are also German, French, Italian and Spanish versions of this hoax in circulation. Please ignore this message and don't pass it on. No one will ever pay for spreading chain letters and hoaxes.

[Last modified: December 2001]