You can get a free case of Veuve Clicquot champagne if you forward an email to ten other friends.

See the email hoax here.

Veuve Clicquot says:

An email hoax is currently circulating regarding an offer of free bottles of Veuve Clicquot Champagne (in exchange for 10 email addresses).

This offer was not initiated or authorized by Champagne Veuve Clicquot. Even though the appropriate authorities have been informed, this email continues to circulate. This is unfortunately beyond our control.

We truly regret any inconveniences or disappointment this may have caused you.

Yours sincerely,

Champagne Veuve Clicquot

Unlike most email forwarding hoaxes, this is somewhat plausible. After all, it doesn't claim that the forwarded email will be automatically tracked, the hoax says forward the mail and CC Veuve Clicquot. This would pose no technical challenge to tabulating the emails if it were true.

In fact, it's been done before. Healthy Choice ran a promotion in October 2000 similar to the Veuve Clicquot hoax. Forwarding an email and CC'ing Healthy Choice could earn up to thirty entries in Healthy Choice's sweepstakes.

Given the similarity between the standard email tracking hoax and the Veuve Clicquot hoax, it's understandable that the distinction between automatically tracking forwarded email and forwarding a copy to the supposedly tracking party can be overlooked.

• Watch Out! from Champagne Veuve Clicquot
• Urban Legend Zeitgeist: Email Forwarding for Fun and Profit

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