419 scam: "Mr.Odun Odunfa" <lawsondan46@gmail.com> Private.

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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:

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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million us 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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "odun_odunfa@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "odun_odunfa@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Odun Odunfa" <lawsondan46@gmail.com>
Reply-To: odun_odunfa@outlook.com
Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2017 12:40:14 +0100
Subject: Private.

*Dear Friend,*

*Compliments. I offer my friendship and believe you will accept me with
good heart,I am compelled to contact you for this offer. I am Mr.Odun
Odunfa,Managing Director First Atlantic Bank.I hope this honest business
discussion will interest you because you are going to benefit from it.A
citizen of your country,Mr.Rayan had a fixed deposit with my bank in 2006
for 36 calendar months,valued at US$8,000,000.00 (Eight Million US
Dollars). He was among the victims of the deadly earthquake which occurred
in China in 2008.He was in China on a business trip and that was how he met
his end. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7410166.stm
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7410166.stm> . My bank management is yet to
know about his death,I knew about it because he was my friend and I am his
account officer. He did not mention any Next of Kin/Heir when the account
was opened,not married and no children. Last week my Bank Management
requested that I should give instructions on what to do about his funds,if
to renew the contract. I know this will happen and that is why I have been
looking for a means to handle the situation,because if my Bank Co-Board
Members happens to know that he is dead and do not have any Heir,they will
take the funds for their personal use,so I don't want such to happen. That
is the reason when I discovered that you are from the same country,I became
happy to seek your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/Heir to the
account,since you are his fellow citizen.My bank will be glad to release
the fund to you on your request. There is no risk involved and be assured
the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will
protect you from any breach of law. It is better that we claim the
money,than allowing my Co-Board members to divert this funds into their
personal accounts,they are rich already. On the sharing aspect,I suggest we
share the funds,50/50% to both of us. I intend investing my share to start
my own company which has been my dream. Let me know your mind on this and
please do treat this information as TOP SECRET. You can also contact me
through my alternative email: odun_odunfa@outlook.com
<odun_odunfa@outlook.com> We can as well discuss this further on phone as
soon as I have your consent. Have a nice day. Anticipating your cooperation
and response.Best regards.Odun Odunfa.*

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam