419 scam: markballard73@yahoo.com Dear Friend

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- ",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: markballard73@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2014 07:45:33 -0700
Subject: Dear Friend

Dear Friend,

I am interested in establishing and operating a very viable business as a means of investment hear in Your country. I do not know too well on how this is done in your country, So I will need you to help me in this regard.

My preference is any good profit yielding business and I would appreciate any viable ideas you could come up with. I will also need you to help me look for properties like Real Estate or any reliable business, as I am proposing to invest the sum of Twenty Five Million United States Dollars ($25,000,000 USD) for this. I do not know if you can and will be of help to me.

For a brief on my personality; i am Mr.Mark Ballard, America based in Pakistan. I am a retired Business man formally into Shipping business. I am 65 years of age, married with a wife and 2 lovely kids. I dropped my Shipping business because it wasn't producing profitable income. I have had so much problems with the Pakistan Authority as a foreigner.

My need for this business proposition is to acquire these properties, is very urgent as I am planing to move out of this country with my family down to my country America.

Please I expect your good and prompt reply so that we can proceed swiftly. I will need your phone and fax numbers for easier communication .

Best Regards,

Mr.Mark Ballard.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam