Claim: Consumers can receive free laptop computers from Ericsson (or Dell) for forwarding an
Example: [Collected via e-mail, February 2007]
FREE LAPTOPS
Hi everyone,
The Ericsson Company is distributing free computer Lap-tops in an attempt to match Nokia that has already done so. Ericsson hopes to increase its popularity this way. For this reason, they are giving away the new WAP laptops. All you need to do to qualify is to send this mail to
Variations: A version that began circulating in May 2009 states: "According to Snopes this appears to be a legit offer." Which is false — this is not a legitimate offer. Likewise, the October 2009 versions that assert: "I have checked this on Snopes and it is true" and "I DID check Snopes - it IS legit ... They're trying to match a recent deal by Nokia!" are also lies.
Origins: The above-quoted jape is yet another version of a long-running Internet hoax that has been circulating in one form or another since 1997. The names of the companies involved and the supposed rewards to be had periodically change, but the basic
Way back in April 2000, after an iteration of this hoax stated that Nokia was giving away free cell phones, a new version was set loose claiming that Ericsson was trying to
All you have to do, is to forward this message to Best of luck Anna Swelund Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved. Reproduction, transfer, distribution or storage of part or all of the contents in any form without the prior written permission of Ericsson is prohibited except in accordance with the following terms. Ericsson consents to you browsing Ericsson World Wide Web pages on you computer or WAP-phone and printing copies of these pages for private use only.
Dear customer
Our main competitor, Nokia, is giving free mobile phones away on the Internet. Here at Ericsson we want to counter their offer. So we are giving our newest WAP-phones away as well. They are especially developed for Internet happy customers who value cutting edge technology. By giving free phones away, we get valuable customer feedback and a great Word-of-Mouth effect.
Executive Promotion Manager for Ericsson Marketing
But of course, Ericsson made no such offer, the e-mail address provided was bogus, and the company employed no one by the name of "Anna Swelund." Ericsson
was hit so hard by inquiries about this hoax that they set up an auto-response for mail to the Anna.Swelund@ericsson.com
Five years later, in May 2005, the Ericsson version was dusted off, updated to include an offer for free laptops (even though the referenced
The Ericsson Company is distributing free computer Lap-tops in an attempt to match Nokia that has already done so. Ericsson hopes to increase its popularity this way. For this reason, they are giving away the new WAP laptops. All you need to do to qualify is to send this mail to
In May 2007 the hoax was reworked slightly to reposition it as a giveaway to benefit children:
Thought you might be interested in a free computer for your child!!! The Ericsson Company is distributing free computer All you need to qualify is to send this mail to Make sure to send a copy (cc) to: anna.swelung@ericsson.com
Free LAPTOP FOR KID'S
In May 2009, this hoax was put into graphic form:
The resurgence of this hoax in May 2009 prompted Sony Ericcson to issue yet another disclaimer:
Sony Ericsson confirms that this email campaign is a hoax. In addition, Sony Ericsson confirms that the Ericsson contact name does not exist. All competitions and promotions involving Sony Ericsson are run through official channels such as Sony Ericsson's website or Sony Ericsson's partners' websites. Please be wary of any competition or promotion that appears to come from outside of Sony Ericsson or Sony Ericsson's partners official channels. Examples of these include via spam emails or SMS. Please do not reply to or forward the email if you receive it.
Sony Ericsson has been made aware of an online email campaign claiming that Ericsson will give away a free laptop computer to users who forward the promotional information. The same campaign includes a photograph of the Sony Ericsson logo and mentions an Ericsson contact name and email number.
A similar graphic version from June 2009 claimed free Dell Inspiron
The bottom line is that no matter which incarnation of this silliness one receives, the principle is the same: There's still no free lunch, and big companies aren't going to hand out fabulous vacations,
Last updated: 19 October 2009
 | Sources: |
Abdullah, Halimah. "Abercrombie & Fitch." The Dallas Morning News. 24 February 1999 (p. E6). Brenner, Jo-El Glenn. "The Universe of Mars Inc." The Toronto Star. 10 May 1992 (p. H1). Crabb, Don. "Bill Gates: An Urban Legend in His Own Time." Chicago Sun-Times. 15 February 1998 (p. 50). Gotting, Peter. "Gullibility Goes Mobile as the Latest E-Mail Hoax Hits the Net." Sydney Morning Herald. 14 April 2000. Reuters. "Coke: Chain Letter Claims Are False." The New York Times. 8 March 2000.