The Eye: Chain e-mail begs readers, pledges bucks

The Eye usually glazes over at the sight of chain e-mail, a phenomenon that’s popping up in electronic mailboxes more and more these days.

But this one got our attention.

First, because it came from a Northern Colorado Business Report reader, one who’s been in the news – and one whose identity will be carefully protected here. (The Eye can be kind.)

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Second, because it tells us that Intel Corp., Microsoft Corp. and America Online will make us rich if we just play along and hit the “forward” button a few times.

“PLEEEEEEEEASE READ! – We’ll see if it works!” So says the subject line.

The long and short of this plea (mostly the long of it) is that it asks readers to participate in an “e-mail beta test.”

Here’s the pitch:

“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.”

No pitch is complete without an offer of evidence. Here’s how the chain mail concludes:

“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.”

Want more proof? The message contains a recent winner’s e-mail address. (Again, the Eye will use discretion.)

By the way, an Intel spokeswoman said she’s heard nothing of this. Ditto AOL. Microsoft would say nothing.

But if this looks familiar to any of the Eye’s friends, and if the checks are rolling in, do let us know.