419 scam: "Mr. Bernard Otti" <bernardotti@yandex.com> Re: PAYMENT AUTHENTICATION

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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "into your nominated bank account" (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)
- "% will be for you" (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)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- bernardotti@virgilio.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Bernard Otti" <bernardotti@yandex.com>
Reply-To: bernardotti@virgilio.it
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2015 09:13:55 -0400
Subject: Re: PAYMENT AUTHENTICATION

>From the Desk of Mr. Bernard Otti
Office of Finance & Accounts Department NNPC.
NNPC Towers, Central Business District,
Herbert Macaulay Way,
P.M.B. 190, Garki, Abuja.

Attn:

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: PAYMENT AUTHENTICATION.

I am Mr. Bernard Otti,Group Executive Director (GED)of Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation NNPC;My office monitors and controls the affairs of
all banks and financial Institutions in Nigeria concerned with foreign
contract payments. I am the final signatory to any transfer or remittance
of huge funds moving within banks both on the local and International
levels in line to foreign contracts Settlement.

I have before me, list of funds, which could not be transferred to some
nominated accounts as these accounts have been identified either as ghost
accounts, unclaimed deposits and over-invoiced sum etc.

I write to present you to the federal government that you are among the
people expecting the funds to be transferred into their account,on this
note; I wish to have a deal with you as regards to the unpaid certified
contract funds. I have every files before me and the data will be to
change to your name to enable you receive the fund into your nominated
bank account
as the beneficiary of the fund's amount $51Million U.S.D.

As it is my duty to recommend the transfer of these surplus funds to the
Federal Government Treasury and Reserve Accounts as unclaimed deposits, I
have the opportunity to write you based on the instructions I received 2
days ago from the Senate Committee on Contract Payments/Foreign Debts to
submit the List of payment reports/Expenditures and audited reports of
revenues. Among several others,I have decided to remit this sum following
my idea that we have a deal/agreement and I am going to do this legally.

MY CONDITIONS.
1. You will give me 65% of your contract funds as soon as you confirm the
said sum into your designated bank account why 35% will be for your
assistance.

2. This deal must be kept secret forever, and all correspondence will be
strictly by email/telephone,for security purposes.

3. There should be no third parties as most problems associated with your
fund release are caused by your agents or representative.

If you AGREE with my conditions, l advise you on what to do immediately
and the transfer will Commence without delay as I will proceed to fix your
name on the Payment schedule instantly to meet the three days mandate.

I hope you don't reject this offer and have the funds transferred.As i
will like to invest my share in oil, real estate properties/Hotel or in
any area of your business that is profit yielding investment in your
country.

Waiting for your reply and advice to my direct email: bernardotti@virgilio.it

Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Bernard Otti.
Group Executive Director,
Finance & Account

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam