John,
 
Your buddy has been duped.  This is a now famous "urban legend."  There is no
truth to it and the folks who say, "I checked it out!!!" are flat out lying.
Makes a nice story but folks like those who run Microsoft or Disney didn't get
there by giving away money on such nonsense.  It ranks up there with the Gerber
Baby Food give away, the blink your headlights and get shot story, and others.
All are urban legends started by kids who want to see how far they can get it
to go on the internet.
 
Hope you weren't holding your breath for the money,
 
Tom Eichhorst