got a scam you should know about

i entered an online picture contest about 2 years ago.. since the time i have been told that i won.. not only won but this:

Dear Marie,

I'm sorry you will be unable to join us at the upcoming International Society of Photographers Annual Convention and Symposium, March 3-5, 2006 to be held at the famed Riviera Hotel and Casino in lase Vegas, Nevada, as it promises to be one of the most exciting and prestigious photography events ever held. As you know, you were selected to be honored at this event, and we were looking forward to you presenting your photographic artistry in front of hundreds of photographers and guests from over a dozen countries who will be attending.

However, because we don't want you to miss out on this unique opportunity altogether, we have arranged a way for you and your photographic accomplishments to be a part of this event in a major way, without your actually being present. Although you will be unable to participate in the convention contest (you must be present to win), you can receive all of the awards you have earned--including your custom-engraved Outstanding Achievement in Photography Silver Award Bowl (see it here), your bronze Commemorative Award Medallion, and your Full Basic Membership into the International Society of Photographers for 2006--if you will allow us to showcase at the convention in your place.

In this regard, we have arranged for your photo "Floating Rosie" (see your photo here) to be presented at our convention. Your photograph, along with your name, will be presented exactly as you created it for all convention attendees to view. In this way, hundreds of attending photographers and their guests, who come from all over the world to attend the convention, will appreciate your photograph.

And let me tell you a little about the actual awards and ISP membership benefits that you will receive by mail immediately after you confirm your participation in this prestigious event by allowing us to showcase your photo:

-- Your Outstanding Achievement in Photography Silver Award Bowl (a $200.00 value) is a magnificent work of art in itself that measures over 10 inches across and over 11 inches high. It is handcrafted in silver and has your name custom-engraved on a beautiful cherry-wood base (see it here). It is certain to enjoy a special place of pride in your home and will serve as a fitting symbol of your unique photographic artistry.

-- Your bronze Commemorative Award Medallion is a deeply etched bronze medal (a $40.00 value) brilliantly displayed on a 25-inch red, white and blue satin ribbon.

-- And your Full Basic Membership into the International Society of Photographers for 2006 (a $60.00 value) entitles you to a personalized membership card, special discounts and contests, and a free subscription to our quarterly newsletter. Please note, if you are already an ISP member, your benefits will be extended an additional year.

Marie, all that's required for us to immediately send you all of these Awards is for you to give us permission to display your photograph, "Floating Rosie". Additionally, because you will not be present, we must also ask you for the necessary funds ($169.00 plus p+h) to cover the costs of the time and effort required to present your photography before the convention attendees, and to cover the costs incurred in insuring and shipping to you these extremely bulky and heavy awards.

Marie, we are, of course, ultimately most interested in meeting you and having you personally present your artistry in front of the thousands of other photographers who attend these live events. Unfortunately, this is not the case at this time, so we're trying to do the next best thing. But we sincerely hope to personally present you with your most deserved awards in the future.

Sincerely,

Craig Foster
International Society of Photographers
Convention Awards Chairperson

P.S. Your Outstanding Achievement in Photography Silver Award Bowl, bronze Commemorative Award Medallion, and personalized membership card, will be shipped to you by Federal Express (your subscription to our newsletter will arrive separately) and will be accompanied by a 100% money back guarantee of your complete satisfaction. If for any reason you're not 100% delighted with your Awards, simply return them any time within 60 days of receipt for a full refund, no questions asked.

P.P.S. You'll also receive a $100.00 gift certificate off the registration of a future ISP convention so that we can formally recognize your photographic accomplishments in person at a date that's convenient to you.


sounds too good to be true?

now check thiss out :

From the desk of:
Jeffrey Bryan
Managing Editor

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


New 2007 Exclusive Benefits!

Dear Marie,

The votes are in, and we are proud to congratulate you for your outstanding artistic achievement. The editors of The International Library of Photography were thrilled to inform you that your photo was honored with the prestigious Editor’s Choice Award because of your artistic accomplishments and unique perspective--characteristics found in the most noteworthy photographic works. To further commemorate this prestigious achievement, we have elected you to receive the 2007 Editor’s Published Photographer Ribbon Award Pin.

This stunning pin proudly displays your elevated status in our photographic community. Since only an elite group of published photographers were selected to receive this special honor, imagine the sense of pride you will feel when others see you wearing the 2007 Editor’s Choice Published Photographer Award Pin. What an impressive way to show off your status as an honored photographer for the year 2007!



The elegant detail and the meticulous craftsmanship that went into the design and production of this exclusive pin are unprecedented. This striking jewelry piece has the International Library of Photography name prominently displayed across the top, the Editor’s Choice commendation appears on the ribbon, and the entire pin is set in bronze. It is truly a masterpiece that honors your outstanding and well-deserved accomplishments, and it is a must-have for all esteemed photographers.

To take advantage of this special offer to commemorate your exceptional photographic talents, simply go here. This exclusive pin is only $19.95, plus shipping & handling. If you wish to send us your order by mail, please include a copy of this email and your completed order form to receive this special offer.

An Added Bonus For A Limited Time Only!!!



We have commissioned artisans to create a Commemorative Bronze Medallion to celebrate the accomplishments of the Editor’s Choice winners. This beautiful two-sided medallion displays the words “Celebrated Photographer” and “Editor’s Choice” deeply etched into the medal. The medallion is packaged in a custom gift box with a certificate of authenticity to further enhance its prestige. You can receive this amazing keepsake for only $49.95, plus shipping and handling. For a limited time, when you take advantage of this unique offer of the bronze medallion, you will also receive the Editor’s Choice Published Photographer Ribbon Award Pin at no additional charge. That’s right, the Editor’s Choice Published Photographer Ribbon Award Pin will be yours FREE when you request the commemorative bronze

Marie, because you are receiving such high honors as a published photographer, for the first time ever we want to reward you with the 2007 Editor’s Choice Commemorative Silver Watch. As a published photographer, imagine the compliments, praise, and prestige you will receive from your family, friends, and peers when they admire and envy your watch as an iconic symbol of your success and talent. These limited edition unisex watches are available only to a group of elite and talented published photographers like yourself, hand-picked by our editors.

The watch features a sophisticated rectangular face with a silver finish highlighted by the esteemed “Editor’s Choice” insignia on the black dial. Your watch will be accented with an imported adjustable black leather band. The watch comes in a stylish gift box for safekeeping when not proudly displayed on your wrist, or it can be used to display the embodiment of your outstanding photographic achievements on your mantle.

Because your creativity and artistic abilities shine through in all your photographic works, you can receive this fashionable and prestigious accessory to celebrate your 2007 Editor’s Choice Achievement for only $119.00, plus shipping and handling. For a limited time only, when you take advantage of this unique offer of the 2007 Editor’s Choice Commemorative Silver Watch, you will also receive the Bronze Medallion and the 2007 Editor’s Choice Published Photographer Ribbon Award Pin at no additional charge. The total package value of almost $200 will be yours for only $119.00 when you request the 2007 Editor’s Choice Commemorative Silver Watch.

As you are bestowing gifts to your friends and family during this holiday season, why not give yourself the gift of recognition for a job well done with your photographic achievements?

Marie, we were delighted to award you the high honors of a published photographer, and we hope that you will choose to receive the 2007 Editor’s Choice Commemorative Silver Watch, Bronze Medallion, and the 2007 Editor’s Choice Published Photographer Ribbon Award Pin. We truly believe these masterpieces honor the artistic accomplishments you have displayed in your photography.

Please accept my best wishes to you and your family during the holiday season.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Bryan

why in the world if i have won this prize would they be wanting such a ghastly amount of loot?

Next came this email:

Not long ago you entered a photograph in Picture.com's International Open Amateur Photography Contest, and you may be wondering about the results of the contest. If you haven’t already done so, please check out Picture.com and go to the "previous winners" tab at the top of the page. There you’ll see the entire list of all of our past winners, and you can even view their award-winning photographs. We hold a contest every month and update our winners regularly. Don't forget to check our website often for the latest list of winners.

I want to thank you for your submission of "Floating Rosie." It’s pictures like yours that make our monthly contests so competitive. Each day, our editors review countless photographs and we appreciate your contribution.

Furthermore, we have extended the publisher's pre-publication discount to ensure that every contributor has the opportunity to own a copy of the book in which his or her photograph will appear. And, Marie, you don’t want to miss this one! Each book is a photographic time capsule, a slice of different cultures and memories bound together to make a wonderful keepsake. For less than what it would cost for dinner for two, you can have your very own copy to treasure and share with family and friends.

Once again, Marie, the Endless Journeys series promises to be an exclusive, widely enjoyed collection of photographs, and it is sincerely our pleasure to be able to include "Floating Rosie" within it. Go here to order.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Bryan
Managing Editor

i mean come on this is the final email of crap i recieved:

Dear Marie,

Not long ago, our Editors reviewed the thousands of submissions entered in our International Open Amateur Photography Contest, and they awarded your photo the distinguished Editor's Choice Award. This is an honor awarded to only 12% of the submissions we receive. Now that the first round of the judging process is complete, your photo will enter the next level of judging, becoming eligible for the $10,000 Annual Grand Prize that will be awarded in January 2008. We wish you the best of luck with this next phase of the contest.

Marie Beidelman Has Been Selected As An
Editor's Choice Award Recipient
And Has Earned A Discounted Membership To ISP!

Since we announced the names of the winners, many recipients have contacted me and requested a way to display their achievement; therefore, I put our artists and designers to work. We were able to create our most exquisite and distinguished wall plaque ever. This year we are offering this limited edition wall plaque commemorating your achievement as an Editor's Choice Award recipient. Each certificate is numbered, signed, and mounted on a solid maple plaque. This beautiful display piece truly honors your accomplishment!

Marie Beidelman




As an Editor's Choice Award winner, we're sure you'll want to improve your craft and further your involvement in photography. There's no better way to do that than by joining the International Society of Photographers (ISP), the largest photography organization in the world. As a member of the ISP, you will be part of an organization that promotes the appreciation of this beautiful art form. You will receive a membership card, a special members-only decal, an ISP membership certificate, and coupons for various products and events. Best of all, you'll be invited to the annual International Society of Photographers Convention & Symposium, where you can meet hundred of photographers just like you while hearing famous artists enlighten everyone with their knowledge and love of photography. Go here for membership details.

The plaque and membership are individually valued at $135.00, but today you can order them together for $75.00 (plus $14.00 shipping & handling), which is a $60.00 discount off the regular retail price. Please take the time to review the benefits of becoming a member of the International Society of Photographers and join today. We'll send your Editor's Choice Award plaque and membership package immediately upon your acceptance of this offer.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Bryan
Managing Editor


if this a contest on the up & up i should not have to pay to recive my prizes should I
tell what you think
this site is called :
www.picture.com
warning they are shisters and like to hoodwink the average joe