You are here:About>News & Issues>Urban Legends> Companies & Products> Free Sainsbury's Gift Voucher - Netlore Archive
About.comUrban Legends

Free Sainsbury's Gift Voucher

Netlore Archive: Email hoax claims recipients will receive a free Sainsbury's gift voucher if they forward the message to 10 other people


Description: Email hoax
Circulating since: October 2005
Status: False
Analysis: See below


Email example contributed by Katerina R., 14 October 2005:

Dear Sainsbury's Shoppers!

As part of our marketing exercise we will be giving away £60 gift vouchers. Yes you read it right, Free gift vouchers, no catch. All you have to do is forward this email on to 10 friends & a copy to J.sainsburys@customerservices.com, simple as that. Once everyone in your list has sent 10 emails you will be emailed your £60 voucher which you can exchange in all Sainsbury's stores.

Thanks for taking part in our exciting new marketing method

Kind Regards,

Sarah Jones
Relocation Coordinator (Moving)


Comments: Hoax. Sainsbury's, the U.K. supermarket chain, says it is not giving away free gift vouchers to people who forward this chain letter. A pertinent announcement on the company's Web site reads as follows:

We have been made aware of an email which looks like it originates from Sainsbury's offering customers £60 if they forward an email to ten friends. This email does not originate from Sainsbury's, and we are not running such a promotion. We are currently following this matter up with those responsible for the original emails.


Sources and further reading:

Free Sainsbury's Vouchers Email Hoax
WebUser.co.uk, 13 October 2005

Netlore Archive: Phony Freebie Chain Letters
Many variations on a theme


Email This Article


Last updated: 11/03/05


Current Hoaxes / Netlore
The Urban Legends Top 25

From David Emery,
Your Guide to Urban Legends.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
Newsletters & RSSEmail to a friendSubmit to Digg
 All Topics | Email Article | | |
Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | HelpOur Story | Be a Guide
User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.