Spam email in outlook junk folder

[threeplusmum]

Just checked my outlook account and looked in the junk folder (as you do) and I scrolled down and a name (sender) caught my attention it was my ex bf from many many years ago, haven't spoken or corresponded with him in years and have not intention to, knowing it would probably be some spam, I clicked to see if it was indeed from him and it came up with a completely different email with someone else's name in the email also in the email was a link which I daren't click on as it seemed like an obvious scam or malware, my question is how did that particular spammer get my ex's name to use, I wasn't the only person the email was sent to there was another lady with an o2 email address. Has this happened to anyone else?? I know it's probably nothing but it's weird to see his name in my junk folder and I'm 100% it's not him.

I would guess you are still a contact in your ex's email and his email account has been compromised, with spam sent to everyone in his contacts.

Alternatively they picked up you're ex's name from your email contacts list. Not hard to do - sometimes I get emails from my own email address and name with suspicious links in them. That's why most ISPs employ spam filters and pop such nonsense into your Junk folder.