419 scam: "Mr.Odun Odunfa" <westansah44@gmail.com> Revert back to me urgently please.

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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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- odun_odunfa@rediffmail.com (Rediffmail, India; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Odun Odunfa" <westansah44@gmail.com>
Reply-To: odun_odunfa@outlook.com
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2017 11:45:35 +0100
Subject: Revert back to me urgently please.

*Dear Friend,*

*Compliments. I offer my friendship and believe you will accept me with
good heart,I was pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each
other. I am Mr.Odun Odunfa,Managing Director First Atlantic Ghana. I have
this important business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe
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 saw your last name I became happy and now seek your
co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/Heir to the account,since you
have the same last name with him.My bank head quarters will be glad to
release the account 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. Here below are my personal
contact Info:Email address: odun_odunfa@outlook.com
<odun_odunfa@rediffmail.com> We can as well discuss this further on
phone,let me know when you will be available to speak with me. Have a nice
day.Anticipating your communication. Best regards.Odun Odunfa.*

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam