Is this $1K bonus email from empire genuine or phishing?

[partygirluk]

Dear xxxxxx,

Out of all Empire Poker players, you were chosen to join our new, exclusive
and rewarding plan.
How about extra $1000 real cash from Empire? Wouldn't that be something?
We developed a very simple and highly rewarding scheme, designed personally
for your needs.

Up to $1000 extra cash directly into your account according to the following
simple steps (no bonus restrictions):

Play 15-19 raked days a month and get $50.
Play 20-24 raked days a month and get $100.
Play 25 or more raked days a month and get $200.

*One offer is valid per month, according to the number of days played each
month.

Offer valid for duration of 6 month starting August 1st, 2005.

To join this special program, all you need to do is register at
www.empirepoker.com/1000offer and start collecting your funds!

However, when I click on http://www.empirepoker.com/1000offer

I actually get taken to

http://www.epvip.com/1000offer/

I don't know if epvip.com is legit or not.

Can't be too careful

Thanks

Edit: the website it goes to just asks me to enter the email address and username of my account - as if the phishers were trying to confirm they have my details. Also, there is no epvip.com homepage.

[ebranig]

This looks VERY fishy. DO NOT ENTER INFO.

[PokerAce]

You should call Empire and find out.

[Shoe]

epvip is the address for empire's vip club. However, instead of clicking on links you should type in the URL, as the name (epvip) could be spoofed.

It looks legit, but I would email Empire's support to make sure.

[jman220]

What information are they asking for? This looks too good to be true.

[baronzeus]

Uhh hwo can it be fake?

[handsome]

Looks legit. I'd call support.

[mdeck]

Did a whois lookup on both sites, and both www.ep.com and www.epvip.com have the same information, FWIW.

[PrincipalSkinner]

I tried it and it said I wasn't eligible, thereby proving it's genuine Empire. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[snappo]

It is legit. If the official site redirects you there then it is legit.